This is Part 1 of a series of blog posts on School Culture, to be written by Prof Kathija Yassim (UJ) in collaboration with principals from the Sandbox Schools. The posts will reflect on insights emerging from a set of visual participatory research workshops held as part of the School Culture intervention in the Sandbox … Continue reading Leading a Culture of Learning Series: (Re)Defining a Culture of Learning for a Constantly Changing World
Sandbox Intervention Mix
As a design-based research (DBR) pilot, the Sandbox Schools Project involves designing, testing, researching, and refining a set of interventions at our pilot schools in iterative research cycles, to explore their potential to develop competencies for a changing world in teachers and learners. These interventions will be the subject of research over the next three … Continue reading Sandbox Intervention Mix
Learning through Play at Home – Lockdown Activities
It seems that almost the entire world is on lockdown at the moment, which includes the suspension of formal schooling in over 180 countries. As a result, parents and caregivers around the world have found themselves in the unexpected role of ‘teacher’ – often with little to no previous experience. While this situation is indeed … Continue reading Learning through Play at Home – Lockdown Activities
Education in a VUCA world – Challenges of Covid-19
We often speak of the “VUCA” world we live in – Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous. In the past few weeks, however, we’ve gotten a real experience of what this means and how it can impact education. The rapid spread of the Coronavirus across the world and the drastic measures being taken to slow down … Continue reading Education in a VUCA world – Challenges of Covid-19
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
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
Stepping into the Sandbox: Part 1
So, why the big fuss about changing education for the future? How does the so-called ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’ affect us, and what does ‘21st Century teaching and learning’ actually mean? In at attempt to go beyond the buzzwords and into the practical, we are starting this blog to share lessons and insights from an exciting … Continue reading Stepping into the Sandbox: Part 1
The Sandbox Blog 