Reimagining Education for the 21st Century
At CollectiveUP we believe that education, like digital transformation, must evolve if it is to prepare people for the realities of today’s world. Too often classrooms continue to operate in ways that no longer reflect the needs of learners or society. The recent Brookings article on reimagining education reminds us how urgently this shift is needed and highlights inspiring practices that echo what we see in other sectors: change happens when we prioritize agency, creativity, and collaboration over outdated systems of control and repetition.
Different pedagogical models
What speaks to us most is the emphasis on active and joyful learning. Just as we advocate for social economy organizations to adopt inclusive and participatory approaches to digitalization, education systems must create environments where learners take ownership, experiment, and connect their experiences to real-world challenges. Approaches like project-based learning or Active Playful Learning show that when teachers are supported with evidence-based strategies, the results go beyond test scores. Students engage more deeply, think more critically, and gain the confidence to contribute. Teachers themselves also feel renewed energy when they see students thriving in this way.
Democratic and self-directed education
Another important perspective that shapes the future of education is Democratic Education and Self-Directed Education. Both approaches are rooted in human rights principles and emphasize the right of every child to have a voice in their learning journey. Instead of being passive recipients of knowledge, learners are given the agency to co-create their education, make choices, and practice democratic decision-making in their daily school life.
As part of our new FutureEd project, we are exploring how these approaches can be strengthened and connected to broader movements for inclusive, rights-based education. A case study we are developing examines how democratic schools and learning communities put these principles into practice, empowering students not just with knowledge, but with the confidence and civic skills to participate in society.
If you are interested in diving deeper, we invite you to read our blogpost about EUDEC’s conference, where practitioners, researchers, and advocates of Democratic Education came together to share experiences and challenges. This ongoing conversation is central to shaping how education can uphold human rights and prepare learners for meaningful participation in the world.
Why it matters
For us at CollectiveUP the lesson is clear. Whether we are working with schools, social enterprises, or city labs, the challenge is the same. Systems need to move from passive, top-down structures to frameworks that encourage participation and agency. It is not about replacing everything that exists but about reimagining how practices are applied, guided by research and grounded in the lived experiences of people.
Education is one of the most powerful places where this reimagining can start. By focusing on active, meaningful, and joyful learning, we not only prepare students for the future of work but also nurture citizens who are curious, resilient, and capable of shaping more inclusive societies. That is a vision that aligns fully with the mission of CollectiveUP.
👉 Download and read our handbook Self-Directed Agile Education for Resilient and Inclusive Collaboration: https://www.agileforcollaboration.eu/result1/, as well as our our Open Educational Course to learn how to implement agile peer-to-peer learning methods and tools in your own classrooms.
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