Description of Community Education
give others permission to do the same"Nelson Mandela
The Community Education aspect of The 21st Century Schoolhouse framework empowers students to demonstrate their research and knowledge on environmental and social issues related to their local communities. Students carefully research and examine issues through a variety of perspectives in order to gain wholistic understanding. This is accomplished through a four step process:
- Fundamental scientific concepts and historical, economic and political backdrops to the issues are mastered
- Causes behind the issue are examined in light of humankind's need for scarce natural resources
- Effects on the various aspects of the natural environment resulting from the causes behind the issue are determined in addition to the resulting political, economic, social and cultural impacts.
- A variety of thoughtful solutions to the issues are researched, developed and proposed. These solutions are balanced in terms of competing interests, are scientifically and socially sound, and reflect the main underpinnings of sustainability: social equity, economic prosperity and ecological integrity.
Knowledge gained in the issues are shared with local communities through a variety of public forums, designed to inform and educate. Venues for public education include one or more of the following:
- full scale visual exhibits placed in a public arena (community libraries, governement buildings, shopping malls, community-based schools, universities, etc.)
- newsletters sent out to the public
- informative mulitmedia presentations to the community at a variety of gatherings
- publication of informational brochures and pamphlets
- web publishing and electronic communication
- collaboration with local community media in production of articles and news releases for radio and television
- peer instruction
- development of interactive lessons for primary age students on the issues
to get the most people to know about the
world and its problems in as quick a time as possible."
Buckminster Fuller