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McNutt
2020
On the dangers of a corporate control of school outcomes and learning softwares, and what we can do to counteract financial creep.
Educators collaborating to produce open access resources have the potential to revolutionize classrooms worldwide. This collaborative effort can lead to a more equitable and inclusive education system, where knowledge is freely shared and everyone has an opportunity to learn and grow. The following are a list of other progressive education organizations doing fantastic work. Check them out (and let us know if you'd like to join the list)!
Open Way Learning is a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming educational systems through innovative, learner-centered strategies. They focus on collaborative and open-source approaches to empower schools and educators to adapt and thrive in the rapidly changing educational landscape. By fostering a culture of openness and innovation, they aim to create educational environments that are dynamic and responsive to the needs of all learners.
Learning InspirED is an innovative education consulting organization dedicated to fostering student agency. They focus on shifting from limitations to opportunities, empowering school districts to create environments where students can take charge of their own learning. They believe that student engagement thrives when students have reasonable autonomy over what and how they learn, as this autonomy directly influences their mindset, motivation, and overall well-being.
High Tech High Unboxed is a project of the HTH Graduate School of Education, a journal of adult learning in schools, promoting ideas that can enhance schools. To facilitate idea-sharing between teachers, the journal was designed with project cards that could be easily shared. Unboxed has now evolved into a media platform that includes podcasts, videos, interviews, curricular resources, and a semesterly journal with project cards.
The Educating All Learners Alliance (EALA) is a unique coalition dedicated to resource sharing and community-building, supporting the education community in meeting the needs of students with disabilities. Their mission is to pave the way for practitioners by offering curated, searchable resources, expert access, a tech library with edtech accessibility features, and real-world examples from the field.
What School Could Be is an education platform that offers a wide range of resources and approaches for teachers interested in innovative methods that put students at the heart of their learning. Resources include virtual events, readings, podcasts, and more, with opportunities available for micro-credentialing and graduate credit.
The Kosciuszko Foundation focuses on enhancing educational and cultural interactions between the United States and Poland, while also aiming to broaden the American perspective on Polish culture and history. We partner together on the Teaching English in Poland program, a Summer camp experience for cultural and skill teaching from the United States to Poland.
Hybrid Pedagogy is a community that combines teaching theory and practice. It is a platform for discussing critical digital pedagogy while promoting student advocacy and awareness of academic hierarchies. The community focuses on co-teaching and mutual respect.
School of Thought is an organization that unites private, public, and charter schools with experts from various fields to participate in projects that involve listening, learning, and leading. These projects focus not just on gaining knowledge and awareness, but on taking action.
Inspire Citizens believes that holistic global citizenship, shaped by students, educators, schools, and storytelling, can create a more sustainable, just, and joyful future. They recognize the power of education to contribute to a better world by fostering compassion, connection, understanding, and action for the well-being of individuals, communities, and the planet. The organization advocates for teaching and applied learning that prioritize interdependence, enabling learners to make positive contributions to the world.
The Institute for Humane Education envisions a future where humane education is an integral part of schooling and learning. They aspire to see students become "solutionaries" who use their knowledge and abilities to tackle problems in ways that benefit everyone. Ultimately, they aim to integrate humane education into education so that it becomes a natural aspect of learning.
Learning for Justice partners with communities to dismantle white supremacy and advance human rights. The organization focuses on four key areas: culture and climate, curriculum and instruction, leadership, and family and community engagement. Learning for Justice provides free educational resources, such as articles, lessons, films, and webinars, to facilitate shared learning and reflection.
Ludic Language Pedagogy aims to encourage discussions on the use of games and play in language teaching and learning. They are dedicated to sharing research and materials that explore the relationship between games and language education. The community is engaged through various platforms like social media, podcasts, and webinars.
Nature Play SA encourages connection with nature in sustainable and creative ways. The organization believes that spending time in nature fosters deeper connections with the environment and oneself, which can lead to a greater understanding, appreciation, and respect for the natural world.
REENVISIONED is a movement that aims to redefine the purpose of schooling by asking fundamental questions. The platform recognizes that discussions on education are contentious, yet essential questions about the future are not being addressed.
Rethinking Schools is committed to advancing public education through social justice teaching and education activism. Their resources, including books and magazines, promote equity and racial justice in the classroom. The organization also encourages grassroots initiatives that improve children's learning and well-being while fostering a democratic movement for social and environmental justice.
Stimpunks are advocating for open and proud stimming, resisting the pressure to conform to neurotypical behavior, and embracing the DIY ethos of punk, disabled, and neur lebrates stimming instead of hiding it, by bringing it to the forefront of their identity and culture. Through this approach, they hope to create greater acceptance and understanding for individuals with different neurological profiles.
Teacher-Powered Schools encourages teacher teams to assume leadership roles in their schools or develop and manage new schools. Their primary focus is on assisting teacher teams in obtaining collective autonomy to manage and operate schools. The teacher-powered model, where decision-making power is held by a collective group of teachers, can have a significant impact at the district and state levels, as successful schools can persuade leaders to prioritize teachers' work.
TeachSDGs supports and enhances the United Nations' efforts within K-12 classrooms by connecting with global educators committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The organization provides accessible resources, lesson plans, and global projects aligned with the goals. They also engage in advocacy and outreach to inform stakeholders, including educators, students, parents, and community members, about the UN's work related to education.
TG² (Teachers Going Gradeless) is a global community of educators who advocate for grading less to improve teaching and learning. Their objective is to support teachers in transitioning to more humane and effective assessment, feedback, and grading methods. Grades were not created for providing meaningful feedback, but to rank and control students, which ultimately hinders learning.
The Zinn Education Project is an initiative that advocates for the teaching of people's history in American classrooms. Since 2008, the project has provided students with a more accurate and stimulating understanding of history, which is not typically found in conventional textbooks and curricula. The project aims to promote and support the teaching of people's history in classrooms throughout the United States.
