Alternative Education for Children aged 7-14

Beginning in Texas, U.S.A. with only 7 students, Acton Academy has expanded exponentially since its establishment in 2009.

With over 30 schools around the world, 5 Malaysian entrepreneurs and educators decided it was time to bring it to Kuala Lumpur.

What is Acton Academy?

Catered toward children aged 7 to 14, Acton Academy is putting to practice the ideas of blended learning and self-organised learning – notably advocated by the co-author of “Blended: Using Disruptive Innovation to Improve Schools”, Heather Staker, and Educational Researcher, Professor Sugata Mitra, respectively.

These approaches and thoughts are part of a global push for a change in the education paradigm.

How is Acton Academy different?

“No bells ring, and there are no lectures.” In fact, there are no ‘classes’, not in the formal sense at least. At Acton KL, students respond to challenges and prompts offered by their adult ‘guides’ by teaching themselves and one another.

They engage in the Socratic method for discussion, “setting up scenarios and asking questions to stimulate critical thinking and independent learning.”

Additionally, students explore their interests and talents by pursuing ‘apprenticeships’ with local businesses. All of this seems to beg the question:

Does it work?

It’s too soon to say but the outlook is promising.

Acton KL is the first Acton Academy school to open in Asia, and whilst a report writes that the “model is not for everyone – 10 or 15% of students don’t make it and get voted out by their peers”.

The same report states that “[Acton Academy, Austin, Texas, has] “seen some students learn at ten times the normal rate” and that “[o]ne of the first replications sites is Acton Academy Guatemala where a 14 year old is taking college level classes.”

Find out more at http://actonkl.org/ and https://www.facebook.com/ActonAcademyKL/

Sources:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/billfrezza/2014/02/28/acton-academy-socrates-antidote-for-government-school-hemlock/#7f00b7dd3816

http://gettingsmart.com/2014/10/acton-academy-invitation-heros-journey/

http://actonkl.org/