Entrepreneuriell learning – what is that?

It’s sure a mouthload – but what is it? Well, basically it is the attempt to transfer motivation from outside forces (the teacher, curriculum, grades) to inside forces (owning my own learning). In practicality it means organizing learning in structured project groups where the students learn to plan, structure, analyze and present themes they themselves choose within the overall themes of school curriculum.

Most people associate the term entrepreneur with business. Sure, we need more entrepreneurs. But society really needs people in all sorts of positions and fields that take great individual responsibility. Schooling often does a very poor job of training this because it is asking the students to learn things that are not their own choice, not according to their own learning styles and in a time and place that they have little control over.

There are interesting experiments with another approach and two of the most interesting thinkers and practictioners in this area are Christer and Marielle Westlund who live on the west side of Sweden. Their site is in Swedish, but they will surely answer mail in English if you are curious. Among other things they can tell you how everyone in their high school class was able to support themselves before they even left school. There is no end to what students can do once they are given the right structure, encouragement, methods and opportunity. EL presents a very interesting and important alternative structure. 

http://www.meuniveristy.com