The Agile Learning Center (ALC) Model
An Agile Learning Center (or ALC) is a grassroots self-directed educational model, that has the flexibility to be used across a huge variety of settings - from a full time "charter" or alternative school, to a weekend camp. It takes inspiration from the Agile business model, incorporating Agile Management tools as a way to develop structure, accountability, set learning goals, give feedback and create change.
Whilst no two ALC's are ever the same, there is a common set of concepts, tools and practices ALC's use to help learners and facilitators flourish.
Whilst no two ALC's are ever the same, there is a common set of concepts, tools and practices ALC's use to help learners and facilitators flourish.
Quick Overview of the Agile Learning Center Concept
The Agile Learning Tree
ALC's use the metaphor of a tree to illustrate the ALC educational model more clearly.
The soil we grow from is trust: in students, in each other, in you. The four assumptions—roots—which ground us are as follows:
From there ALC's recognize twelve guiding principles as tree branches which communities refer to when developing new tools and practices.
Tools and practices are the leaves of the Agile Tree. As a group they help the tree nourish and feed itself; however, no individual leaf is essential to the health of the tree. Some may be useful on a daily basis. Others get pulled out only a couple times a year. And they change! Like leaves, tools and practices have seasons of relevance: they are used when they’re useful, changed when what’s needed of them changes, and set aside when they are no longer of service.
Examples include using Kanbans as a way to plan or youtube channels to document, holding spawn point meetings, using a talking stick, having standing meetings, or having a culture committee.
The soil we grow from is trust: in students, in each other, in you. The four assumptions—roots—which ground us are as follows:
- Learning: Learning is natural. It’s happening all the time.
- Self-Direction: People learn best by making their own decisions. Children are people.
- Experience: People learn more from their culture and environment than from the content they are taught. The medium is the message.
- Success: Accomplishment is achieved through cycles of intention, creation, reflection and sharing.
From there ALC's recognize twelve guiding principles as tree branches which communities refer to when developing new tools and practices.
- Infinite Play
- Agility
- Amplifying Agency
- Culture Creation
- Visible Feedback
- Facilitation
- Support
- Respect for each other's time and space
- Relationships
- Full-Spectrum Fluency
- Shareable Value
- Safe Space Making
Tools and practices are the leaves of the Agile Tree. As a group they help the tree nourish and feed itself; however, no individual leaf is essential to the health of the tree. Some may be useful on a daily basis. Others get pulled out only a couple times a year. And they change! Like leaves, tools and practices have seasons of relevance: they are used when they’re useful, changed when what’s needed of them changes, and set aside when they are no longer of service.
Examples include using Kanbans as a way to plan or youtube channels to document, holding spawn point meetings, using a talking stick, having standing meetings, or having a culture committee.
More information on Agile Learning Centers
For more information about Agile Learning Centers can be found on their website.