Future Learning Design Podcast Is Systemic Change in Education Possible? A Conversation with Alex Beard
19 snips
Mar 30, 2025 Alex Beard, Senior Director at Teach For All, explores the complexities of education worldwide, stressing the need for alignment with community values. He discusses the tension between structured and project-based learning, advocating for diverse educational approaches to foster collaboration over competition. Beard delves into lifelong learning, emphasizing how relational dynamics shape meaningful outcomes. He also reflects on the implications of AI in education, cautioning against its use without a shared vision for purposeful integration.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Purpose-Driven Education Varies
- Education serves different purposes depending on context and community values.
- Excellence comes when purpose aligns well with the process and brings people together.
Learning Versus Education
- Learning is continuous from birth until death in a social context.
- Education implies agency and purpose beyond passive absorbing of information.
Contrasting Education Models
- Shanghai’s system emphasizes knowledge mastery using highly structured lessons.
- Silicon Valley’s High Tech High emphasizes project-based, collaborative learning for different educational goals.
