What is Collaborative Education?

​Day 359 of Des McCabe's Personal Development Exercises

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COLLABORATIVE EDUCATION
 
We have schools that are largely empty of students after 4pm each day. We have schools that are largely empty every Saturday, Sunday and school holidays. Surely, we can use these resources better to support the complete personal development of our young people?
 
Collaborative education includes all aspect of personal development including individual creativity, sports, sustainability for our planet, healthy eating, wellbeing, income generation, relationship building, personal projects, music, gaming, interpersonal skills, starting a business, global events, personal care, volunteering, project management, confidence and public speaking, tackling poverty, arts, drama, team-working, kindness, local community initiatives, home finance, fair trade, leadership, website development, etc. There is a whole new fabric to be created here!
 
So, can we encourage and help our young people to work together more, to take greater ownership of their future and become changemakers? Can we enable them to be the architects and partners of an education process that includes and promotes all students?
 
All of us can support a Collaborative Education process in a direct hands-on way. We can share our ideas, workplaces, projects and experience with young people. This is about active engagement and participation by all of us and seeing young people as partners not subjects in this process.
 
Individuals within Businesses, Community groups, Public Sector bodies, and Charities all have key roles to play here. Teachers and Parents can be the champions at the heart of this new collaboration and ensure we are meeting the needs of all children.
 
Older people and recent graduates can share their wisdom and experience. They can help to explore areas of interest, crazy ideas and the dreams of youth. They can support those who are struggling. This is intergenerational learning with a local, national and international focus. It about our role in life and our place in the world.
 
Our school-based education system needs to become a collaborative, joined-up, community-based, personal development and support framework for young people. We need to move from 19th century schoolrooms to 21st century engagement and empowerment. Collaborative Education is a process where everyone can participate, work in teams, contribute and share their skills, online and in person, to help our next generation.
 
We have the buildings. We have the students. We have the expertise. We have the technology. We have the time. Collaborative Education brings it all, and all of us, together.

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PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT EXERCISE
1. What role will you play in Collaborative Education?
2. How can you begin to play your part from now? ​

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