Human beings are complicated, and change is complicated. As the Sandbox Project progresses, we are starting to experience this complexity in all its glory at our 11 pilot schools. There have been small wins, setbacks, mistakes, and pleasant surprises along the way – all serving to reinforce both the importance and the difficulty of social … Continue reading Reflection: Lessons in Change – Part 1
How did it all begin? Research behind the Sandbox Project – Part 2
This is the second part of a series of articles looking at the initial research report guiding the Sandbox Project. Click here to read Part 1. All around the world, people are realising the urgent need for change in education. Countries in both the global north and the global south are acknowledging the shortcomings of … Continue reading How did it all begin? Research behind the Sandbox Project – Part 2
How did it all begin? Research behind the Sandbox Project – Part 1
There are literally hundreds of curriculum frameworks around the world, many of them aiming to prepare learners for the future world or the ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’. This blog post explains the process we went through to select a framework for the 21st Century Sandbox Schools Project, and highlights some of the lessons to be learned … Continue reading How did it all begin? Research behind the Sandbox Project – Part 1
Playful Learning: What is it? How can I do it?
In a world that is changing at a rapid pace, demanding more and more from those entering the workplace, it can seem counter-intuitive that there is an increasing call for playfulness in schools. Play has often been understood as separate from, and sometimes a hindrance to, ‘real learning’. In our conversations with teachers at the … Continue reading Playful Learning: What is it? How can I do it?
Six Bricks: Opening up a world of playful learning opportunities
How much can you really do with just six bricks? LEGO Six Bricks This is the question many parents, teachers, principals, and researchers have when they first encounter the “Six Bricks” tool and concept. After all, parents and teachers have been using LEGO for decades and, while its educational benefits have long been praised, many … Continue reading Six Bricks: Opening up a world of playful learning opportunities
Celebrating Innovation and Agency in Schools: Part 2 – “My school is going to get there!”
This is the second part of an article about the Dialogue on Innovative School Networks: Teachers as Designers of Innovative Learning Environments. You can read Part 1 here. Conversations at the NECT EdHub’s Dialogue on 3 May 2019 were solution-orientated and celebrated the role of educators as agents of innovation. As Daphne Thoka (Waterberg District … Continue reading Celebrating Innovation and Agency in Schools: Part 2 – “My school is going to get there!”
Celebrating Innovation and Agency in Schools: Part 1 – Creating Innovative Learning Environments
Why do we need to innovate? What is an innovative learning environment, and what does it look like in our context? How can we stimulate innovative thinking at all levels of the education ecosystem? These were some of the questions discussed at the NECT EdHub Dialogue on 3 May 2019. The room was abuzz with … Continue reading Celebrating Innovation and Agency in Schools: Part 1 – Creating Innovative Learning Environments
Videos
Playdate #1: Exploring 21st Century Teaching and Learning https://youtu.be/Vgkc-2f6Cyc Playdate #2: Introducing LEGO Six Bricks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQ_gZujKDyo
Learning to Play and Learning through Play: The Sandbox Playdates
What do you get if you put 40 Foundation Phase educators in a room, blindfold 5 of them, and ask them to replicate a block structure? Lots of laughter, frustration, and some organised chaos! In our efforts to trial competency-embedded teaching and learning approaches in a public school environment through the Sandbox Schools Project, the … Continue reading Learning to Play and Learning through Play: The Sandbox Playdates
Stepping into the Sandbox: Part 2
This is the second part of a series of articles. You can read Part 1: The Journey Begins How do you change a system? Our research and interactions with Sandbox School teachers, leaders, and district officials have taught us to appreciate the complexity of the school ecosystem. Realising that 21st Century teaching and learning cannot … Continue reading Stepping into the Sandbox: Part 2
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