Young makers: learning environments that focus on transformative learning
Research theme
We are facing big challenges that require a new approach (for instance climate change, migration, etc.), and education plays a vital role in this. It does not only concern what you learn, but how you learn too. That is why we must transform education into a place where we train the ‘changemakers’ of tomorrow, people who can really make a difference in a world that is changing fast.
This new approach, known as ‘transformative learning’, emphasizes the development of 21st-century skills and requires a different way of teaching. It is a call for a fresh view on how we organise learning and education, so we are better prepared for the challenges of the future.
How to help children and youths develop into action-competent global citizens?
What are we researching and for whom?
The research programme ‘young creators of tomorrow’ focusses on learning environments that put transformative learning first. The research and service projects in the programme correspond with actual educations such as STEM, sustainability education, outdoor learning, and cultural education. Through practice research, we want to design learning environments in collaboration with the professional sector with special attention to participation, co-creation, design thinking, and a whole school approach.
Desired outcome
Together with organisations, education (schools, umbrella organisations, services), cities, towns, and neighbourhoods, we focus on practice research that optimises learning processes and makes the world better through design thinking. We build bridges, across departments and domains. We develop learning environments and didactics that focus on transformative learning. We strive for a ‘whole school’ approach and teach youths to deal with the social challenges of the future.
Research lines
The research programme ‘Young makers of tomorrow’ helps children and youths to develop into action-competent global citizens. To achieve that goal, there is a need for a transition in the development, guidance, and assessment of learning activities, as well as in the school-wide organisation that enables transformative learning.
Transformative learning in practice
The ‘classical way of learning’, where transfer of knowledge is key, is not sufficient to deal with the unpredictability and complexity of current social issues. New ways of education, focussed on transformative learning, have difficulties finding their way to teachers and educators. A new approach requires a thorough reflection, practising together, and adjusting the own practice. Within this research line, transformative learning is key. We also check how we can guide and assess this in practical situations.
Transformative learning in a powerful learning environment
Creating participatory support in the school or organisation is needed to achieve actual change. If we want to realise transformative learning, then we have to adjust the curriculum, but also take a look at the policy, the infrastructure, and the partnerships (such as parents and the neighbourhood). For schools and organisations, it is difficult
to implement this ‘whole school’ approach independently. We help school teams, organisations, and their learning environments to get organised to realise transformative learning.
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