Homeschoolers, unschoolers and other educators across the world are invited to participate in the SOLE Challenge, sponsored by the nonprofit group TED (Technology Entertainment Design). SOLE stands for Self Organized Learning Environment, and the Challenge is part of the wish of Dr. Sugata Mitra, whose dream of creating a "School in the Cloud" for children in India won him the million-dollar 2013 TED Prize. Dr. Mitra, whose "hole in the wall" experiments demonstrated that slum children in India could teach themselves and their friends computer skills without adult help, is now planning to create a learning lab in India where children can follow their innate curiosity and desire to learn by connecting with online knowledge and mentors. His ultimate wish is to change the face of learning, since according to him, the present public school system is "obsolete".
The SOLE Challenge is issued to all who wish to develop their own Self Organized Learning Environment and provide feedback about the experience via a 500 - 1000 word blog post. What were the challenges the students faced and how were they overcome? How could the SOLE concept be used in the students' educational future? Can you suggest any improvements upon this idea? The three winners will be awarded a free weekend for both student and parent. at the 2013 TED Youth conference. All posts must be received by 9 a.m. EDT on Friday, April 12.
Learning at home is all about Self Organized Learning Environments, so homeschoolers, here's how to get started. First, download the SOLE toolkit. Then agree to the contest rules. Create your SOLE and keep track of your ups and downs. Submit your blog post along with any photos that document your experiences by the April 12 deadline to SOLEChallenge@TED.com. You can use the feedback form to share any other relevant experiences or insights. Be a part of this international movement to remove education from bureaucracy and bring it back to the individual and community level. Feel free to share this with any fellow homeschoolers you know!
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