Edupunk
Encyclopedia
Edupunk is an approach to teaching and learning practices that result from a do it yourself
(DIY) attitude. The New York Times defines it as "an approach to teaching that avoids mainstream tools like PowerPoint and Blackboard
, and instead aims to bring the rebellious attitude and D.I.Y. ethos of ’70s bands like The Clash
to the classroom." Many instructional applications can be described as DIY education or Edupunk.
The term was first used on May 25, 2008 by Jim Groom in his blog, and covered less than a week later in the Chronicle of Higher Education
. Stephen Downes
, an online education theorist and an editor for the International Journal of Instructional Technology and Distance Learning
, noted that "the concept of Edupunk has totally caught wind, spreading through the blogosphere
like wildfire".
in reframing and bundling emerging technologies
into cookie-cutter products with pre-defined application—somewhat similar to traditional punk ideologies.
The reaction to corporate influence on education is only one part of edupunk, though. Stephen Downes has identified three aspects to this approach:
's course "Wikipedia:WikiProject Murder Madness and Mayhem" experiment of creating articles on Wikipedia
in spring 2008, "(having) one’s students as partners and peers." A video clip illustrating an Edupunk approach produced by Tony Hirst at the Open University in the UK on 8 June 2008 illustrated how quickly the Edupunk concept has been adopted outside North America.
A website set up by Australian educators illustrates how edupunk spread, and a presentation by Norm Friesen
of Thompson Rivers University
identifies a number of possible intellectual precursors for the movement.
Hampshire College, Evergreen State College, Marlboro College, and Warren-Wilson College are collegiate institutions imbued with Edupunk ideology.
Do it yourself
Do it yourself is a term used to describe building, modifying, or repairing of something without the aid of experts or professionals...
(DIY) attitude. The New York Times defines it as "an approach to teaching that avoids mainstream tools like PowerPoint and Blackboard
Blackboard Learning System
The Blackboard Learning System is a virtual learning environment and course management system developed by Blackboard Inc. Features include course management, a customizable open architecture, and a scalable design that allows for integration with student information systems and authentication...
, and instead aims to bring the rebellious attitude and D.I.Y. ethos of ’70s bands like The Clash
The Clash
The Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance, and rockabilly...
to the classroom." Many instructional applications can be described as DIY education or Edupunk.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
The Chronicle of Higher Education is a newspaper and website that presents news, information, and jobs for college and university faculty, staff members and administrators....
. Stephen Downes
Stephen Downes
Stephen Downes is a designer and commentator in the fields of online learning and new media. Downes has explored and promoted the educational use of computer and online technologies since 1995...
, an online education theorist and an editor for the International Journal of Instructional Technology and Distance Learning
International Journal of Instructional Technology and Distance Learning
International Journal of Instructional Technology and Distance Learning or IJITDL is an open access academic journal concentrating on research and innovation in teaching and learning, particularly in the areas of instructional technology and distance learning...
, noted that "the concept of Edupunk has totally caught wind, spreading through the blogosphere
Blogosphere
The blogosphere is made up of all blogs and their interconnections. The term implies that blogs exist together as a connected community or as a social network in which everyday authors can publish their opinions...
like wildfire".
Aspects of edupunk
Edupunk has risen from an objection to the efforts of government and corporate interestsCorporatism
Corporatism, also known as corporativism, is a system of economic, political, or social organization that involves association of the people of society into corporate groups, such as agricultural, business, ethnic, labor, military, patronage, or scientific affiliations, on the basis of common...
in reframing and bundling emerging technologies
Emerging technologies
In the history of technology, emerging technologies are contemporary advances and innovation in various fields of technology. Various converging technologies have emerged in the technological convergence of different systems evolving towards similar goals...
into cookie-cutter products with pre-defined application—somewhat similar to traditional punk ideologies.
The reaction to corporate influence on education is only one part of edupunk, though. Stephen Downes has identified three aspects to this approach:
- Reaction against commercializationCommercializationCommercialization is the process or cycle of introducing a new product or production method into the market. The actual launch of a new product is the final stage of new product development, and the one where the most money will have to be spent for advertising, sales promotion, and other marketing...
of learning - Do-it-yourself attitudeDIY ethicThe DIY ethic refers to the ethic of self-sufficiency through completing tasks oneself as opposed to having others who are more experienced or able complete them for one's behalf. It promotes the idea that an ordinary person can learn to do more than he or she thought was possible...
- Thinking and learning for yourself
Examples of edupunk
An example of Edupunk was the University of British ColumbiaUniversity of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
's course "Wikipedia:WikiProject Murder Madness and Mayhem" experiment of creating articles on Wikipedia
Wikipedia
Wikipedia is a free, web-based, collaborative, multilingual encyclopedia project supported by the non-profit Wikimedia Foundation. Its 20 million articles have been written collaboratively by volunteers around the world. Almost all of its articles can be edited by anyone with access to the site,...
in spring 2008, "(having) one’s students as partners and peers." A video clip illustrating an Edupunk approach produced by Tony Hirst at the Open University in the UK on 8 June 2008 illustrated how quickly the Edupunk concept has been adopted outside North America.
A website set up by Australian educators illustrates how edupunk spread, and a presentation by Norm Friesen
Norm Friesen
Norm Friesen is Canada Research Chair in E-Learning Practices at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada....
of Thompson Rivers University
Thompson Rivers University
Thompson Rivers University is a comprehensive university located in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada. It offers students a broad range of courses, career streams, and the ability to ladder credits from diploma programs into full degrees...
identifies a number of possible intellectual precursors for the movement.
Hampshire College, Evergreen State College, Marlboro College, and Warren-Wilson College are collegiate institutions imbued with Edupunk ideology.
See also
- Democratic educationDemocratic educationDemocratic education is a theory of learning and school governance in which students and staff participate freely and equally in a school democracy...
- Summerhill SchoolSummerhill SchoolSummerhill School is an independent British boarding school that was founded in 1921 by Alexander Sutherland Neill with the belief that the school should be made to fit the child, rather than the other way around...
- Self-directed learning
- Student-centered educationStudent-centred learningStudent-centred learning is an approach to education focusing on the needs of the students, rather than those of others involved in the educational process, such as teachers and administrators...
- UnschoolingUnschoolingUnschooling is a range of educational philosophies and practices centered on allowing children to learn through their natural life experiences, including play, game play, household responsibilities, work experience, and social interaction, rather than through a more traditional school curriculum....
- Anarchistic free school
- Student voiceStudent voiceStudent voice describes the distinct perspectives and actions of young people throughout schools focused on education."Student voice is giving students the ability to influence learning to include policies, programs, contexts and principles."...
- Libre learning
- Popular EducationPopular educationPopular education is a concept grounded in notions of class, political struggle, and social transformation. The term is a translation from the Spanish educación popular or the Portuguese educação popular and rather than the English usage as when describing a 'popular television program,' popular...
- Critical pedagogyCritical pedagogyCritical pedagogy is a philosophy of education described by Henry Giroux as an "educational movement, guided by passion and principle, to help students develop consciousness of freedom, recognize authoritarian tendencies, and connect knowledge to power and the ability to take constructive...