Future Learning Design Podcast
Is Systemic Change in Education Possible? A Conversation with Alex Beard
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.
45:04
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Quick takeaways
- Aligning educational methods with community values is essential for effective learning, as differing global models highlight varied purposes.
- Collective leadership fosters collaboration among stakeholders, creating a shared narrative that enables systemic change in education.
Deep dives
The Purpose of Education
There are diverse educational models worldwide, each serving different purposes. The focus should be on aligning the educational methods with the values of the communities they serve, ensuring that the purpose matches the process of learning. For example, contrasting approaches observed in Shanghai's mastery learning focus on knowledge acquisition with the project-based learning model at High Tech High in Silicon Valley highlight the significance of purpose in shaping educational practices. Ultimately, understanding these dynamics helps educators define their vision and shape their methodologies to better fit their specific contexts.
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