-Life as an Alternative Education Provider-
It goes without saying our future is invariably tied into our youth. The values, knowledge and skills they pick up and develop along the way end up setting the course for future generations.
Another truism would have to be the fact that our world, as far as demands, challenges and opportunities are concerned is surely within a constant state of flux. What was once a must have skill and ability thirty years ago, could very well be less in demand now.
The opposite applies in that other abilities which were not overly considered critical years ago, can suddenly take on new significance.
Take the day and age we are shifting into now within the twenty first century. The IT era is based less around physicality and more towards communicative competencies, as well as that of other soft skills of an inter-personal nature.
So, you would assume that we as a culture would be doing everything in our power to foster such new skills within youth.
You’d think that mainstream contemporary educational systems and curricula are brimming with opportunities for children to increase their competencies in these areas.
Well, sadly this is far from the case. Education systems as far as curriculum, focus and approach are much more closely aligned in structure to that of early 19th century pedagogy.
That being said, there are outliers within the world of alternative education which recognize such folly and are doing all they can to better serve the needs of young learners, communities and societies at large.
On this episode, we have one such guest who is deeply passionate about these issues and will treat us all to some much-needed perspective.
Introducing
Peter Philips is a Bali, Indonesia based educator and Founder of the Open Flow Learning Centre an immersive and experientially-orientated learning centre for developing children.
Alternative Education
The staff at Leaning Flow curate a daily organic design of how Language, Mathematics, and Science are approached. The underpinnings of this are tied to the belief that children will arrive at these places as a natural consequence of their development and comfortable relationship with place and people.
Emphasis is on developing children’s values, attitudes, skills, and knowledge through notions of interconnectedness with nature and one another. These foundations are applied and delivered through the basis of; Inquiry, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics), and Project-Based Learning.
Further, the centre prides itself on its integration with conservation organizations and communities across Bali.
Professional Background
Peter, himself holds a Bachelor of Primary Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and Teaching from the University of Newcastle and has had working experiences in both Australia and Indonesia.
He brings a diverse skillset through the numerous educational organizations he has helped to grow.
From his experience within collectives of deep thinkers and dynamically creative people across marketing and content creation, Peter is well-positioned to bring exponential change to the world of education, business and leadership.
He communicates beyond societal norms, bridging modern marketing with authentic storytelling and personal connection.
Reasons to Listen
The conversation presents a number of insightful ideas and discussion points concerning current educational philosophies and whether they are truly structured to deliver the skills and knowledge young and developing minds require to thrive in modern society. Listeners will be treated to topics not limited to the following:
- The criticality within the 21st century of paying more attention to the development of children’s soft skills
- What it’s like operating an alternative education based learning centre in a place like Bali, Indonesia
- How his school integrates many non-traditional educational philosophies into their curriculum ranging from the likes of Rudolph Steiner, Maria Montessori and others
- What pulled Peter himself into the world of alternative education
- A look at Peter’s own journey from studying, teaching and honing his craft right on through to establishing the Open Flow Learning Centre in Bali, Indonesia
- His thoughts on current and mainstream educational practice and what he feels it’s lacking
- Why educator development is an absolutely critical piece in rethinking how future educational practice should take shape
- How the Open Flow Learning Centre physically differentiates itself from a traditional classroom setting
- How and why nature is invited into their learning spaces and why that element is so utterly important
- What biomimicry is and how they leverage this type of learning approach
- What Open Flow Learning Centre believes to be the four pillars of education
- What Peter has observed in the children as they progress through the programs they offer
- What opportunities and challenges there are teaching within an alternative education based program
- Peter’s take on the future of alternative education learning programs and how technology via decentralization and blockchain may play a role moving forward
- + Much more!
This talk offers many compelling looks at the world of education and should not be missed.
A Memorable Quote from the Episode:
“We need to focus a lot more on educators and how we assist educators to better understand a developing child, the power of questioning, the allowing of time and space to live in that world of imagination and curiosity and inquisitiveness and allow children to simply be themselves.”
-Peter Philips
Check out the Video Conversation:
For those who desire to view the full video conversation of this discussion, you can do so via Youtube.
Words of Wisdom:
Hear from Peter as he gives advice to those interested in pursuing or exploring a career based in or around independent forms of education.
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Discover More
For those interested in learning more about Peter and his work, you can check out him via the Open Flow Learning Centre or on the following social platforms:
Keep Listening!
I hope you enjoyed the episode. For more, check out additional episodes here!
