There is an internet meme going around which says, “Imagine if schools actually helped kids identify their strengths by exploring their talents from a young age and growing their skills over the 12 years, instead of letting them all follow the same routine and leaving them confused in life after graduation.”
The Freedom Academy is a Self-Directed Learning Community built on the idea that people (from childhood and all the way until they die) are naturally curious about the world around them and are always working at increasing their knowledge and understanding of it. Given the freedom, time, opportunity and resources to pursue their interests, they can learn whatever they deem necessary to become independent, responsible and productive individuals of society. As such, learning is self-directed, self-motivated and achieved without coercion or artificial inducement.
There is no defined curriculum or set material that students “must” go through. There are no exams, homework, seatwork, and the like that supposedly measures competence and ability — unless the student so desires and makes a prior agreement or arrangement (i.e. the student asks to be taught a certain subject and part of the teacher’s condition is for the student to perform drills, homework or tests and to be evaluated based on these).
Also, the term “teacher” may not necessarily refer to an adult but another fellow student from whom the learner wishes to gain knowledge or skills. Adults who work to keep the school in operation are simply called staff or facilitators (from the French word “facile” or Latin “facilis” which means to make things easy or effortless — thus it is the facilitator’s job to support children in their interests, to make it easier for them to learn and develop).
Children can and will educate themselves. The academy provides a supportive environment where they:
- Can play, explore, converse, socialize and interact freely with all age groups;
- Can learn what they want and at their own pace;
- Have access to various learning tools and materials;
- Are free from bullying and harassment;
- Have a voice in the day-to-day affairs and governance of the community.
Imagine kids, and even teens, excited to go to this school that is not a school, where they are happy learning and doing things they love, where they are free to explore their interests and try out new things without judgement or criticism.
In a few months, there will be no more need to imagine as the Freedom Academy pushes forward to become a reality in Davao City.
Email me at andy@freethinking.me. View previous articles at www.freethinking.me.