Co-Designing Learning with Kids and the Bio-Collective w/ Dr. Ben Freud

How do you design learning in your classroom/school? Imagine inviting student input on everything from the way the timetable is organized, to the design of learning experiences, even to how they are assessed and evaluated. That's the kind of voice and choice The Green School Bali provides its learners. And their learners are empowered as a result. In this illuminating podcast episode, Head of the Upper School/Learning Dialogist/Writer/Podcaster Dr. Benjamin Freud and I unpack:

• Practical methods for inviting student voice/choice into the design of learning
• How to include more community voices, including parents, local community stakeholders and the bio-collective
• How to organize curriculum around students' interests, sustainability, and other topics and projects they hope to explore
• The kind of mindset required to welcome continual feedback, iteration, and collective co-design and ways to adopt it

Connect with Dr. Benjamin Freud: LinkedIN, Twitter/X

Learn more about Coconut Thinking (Ben's Podcast): https://coconut-thinking.com/benjamin-freud/

Learn more about the Green School, Bali: https://www.greenschool.org/

Take the Free 12 Shifts for Student-Centered Environments Scorecard: www.transformschool.com/12shiftsscorecard

Pre-Order the 12 Shifts Book (coming in August): www.transformschool.com/whereistheteacher

Dr. Benjamin Freud's Bio: Dr. Benjamin Freud is an educator, learning dialogist, writer, and podcaster. He is the co-founder of Coconut Thinking, an advisory that helps and supports educators nurture learning ecosystems grounded in relationships that contribute to the thriving of the bio-collective—any living thing that has an interest in the healthfulness of the planet. He designs learning experiences that de-center the human, moving us toward a more ecological civilization. He is also the Head of Upper School at The Green School Bali.

Before Green School, Benjamin was the Whole School Director of Learning at Prem Tinsulanonda International School in Chiang Mai, Thailand. He focused on the "lived" curriculum. He considered ways to develop a culture of active learning, where disciplinary boundaries start to disappear, and learners engage in meaningful projects that have an impact on themselves, others, and the world…all of this preferably taking place outside. He was responsible for teacher professional development, introducing innovative pedagogical practices, and taught classes from G4 to G12.

Before Prem, Benjamin was at Misk Schools, the most prestigious and high profile school in Saudi Arabia. Along with being responsible for all day-to-day operations and leadership in the Boys' School, Benjamin developed a unique curriculum to nurture and develop creativity, competencies, and entrepreneurial spirit in learners. He was responsible for designing authentic and Problem-Based Learning experiences across the school and for developing and implementing Personal Learning Pathways for each learner, to understand their academic and personal needs so that they can best thrive.