Benjamin Freud is the co-founder of Coconut Thinking, whose ambition is to create spaces for purposeful thinking and action that contribute to the welfare of the bio-collective. Coconut Thinking imagines learning ecosystems that extend beyond physical and conceptual walls. They would be inter-generational and collaborative. Alongside future-ready skills, they would teach future-saving ethics such as “practice eco-reciprocity,” “stand up for justice,” “share with solidarity,” and “act with kindness.”

Benjamin is also the Whole School Leader of Learning and Teaching at Prem Tinsulanonda International School in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Benjamin focuses on the ‘lived’ curriculum: on pedagogy, and what classroom practice looks like. He thinks about how to develop a culture of active learning, where the boundaries of disciplines start to disappear and learners engage projects that are meaningful and have an impact on themselves, others, and the world.

Join us as we discuss Benjamin’s mission to support learners in making a positive impact on the bio- collective, a curriculum of kindness, and authentic opportunities for assessment and feedback.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE COVER:

• Benjamin’s mission to empower students to have a positive impact on the bio-collective
• The contradiction of sustainable growth and issues with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Assessing learning based on contribution and impact
• Why kindness should be our number one standard
• Every interaction as an opportunity for assessment and feedback

RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Connect with Benjamin on Linkedin or send him an email at [email protected]
• Visit Coconut Thinking to learn more about purposeful thinking and action that contribute to the welfare of the bio-collective
• Learn more about Rebel Educator, explore our professional development opportunities for educators and students, and check out our project library
• Visit us at UP Academy to learn more about our personalized and inclusive learning environment
• Connect with Tanya and UP Academy on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram and learn more about her journey here

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MORE ABOUT THE REBEL EDUCATOR PODCAST:

In each episode of the Rebel Educator podcast, I deconstruct world-class educators, students, and thought leaders in education to extract the tactics, tools, and routines that you can use as teachers and parents. Join me as we discuss how to shift the classroom, the learning environment, the mindset, and the pedagogy, to resist tradition, reignite wonder, and re-imagine the future of education.

This podcast is dedicated to all of the educators who work thankless hours to make our next generation the best it can be.  It was designed to begin conversations on how we can redesign education for the future of work and the success of our students.  It is meant for teachers, students, administrators, homeschoolers and anyone who interacts with and teaches youth.

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. 

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