The Democratic Learning Community

Below are some resources you may find helpful when attempting to understand/implement the Democratic Classroom/Learning Space:


The Comprehensive Approach to Character Education

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    -By clicking the photo to the left you can access an interactive version of this diagram which includes more detailed explanations and examples of how to implement the variety of styles represented.

    - "A democratic classroom environment: Using the class meeting to engage students in shared decision making and in taking responsibility for making the classroom the best it can be.

Key Ideas
  1. Creating a democratic classroom environment means involving students, on a regular basis and in developmentally appropriate ways, in shared decision making that increases their responsibility for helping to make the classroom a good place to be and learn.
  2. A democratic classroom contributes to character because it:
    • Provides an ongoing forum where students' thoughts are valued and where any need of the group can be addressed
    • Creates a support structure that calls forth students' best moral selves by strengthening community and holding them accountable to practice respect and responsibility
    • Mobilizes the peer culture on the side of virtue, because students are working with the teacher in a continuing partnership to create the moral culture of the classroom.
    • The chief means of creating a democratic classroom environment is the class meeting, a face-to-face circle meeting emphasizing interactive discussion and problem solving."


Teaching Tolerance

Though I'm not a fan of the idea of "tolerance" and the implications it makes in regards to the norm needing to "tolerate" rather than attempt to genuinely understand non-mainstream groups/people, I am a fan of this site and the resources they provide in regards to teaching difficult subjects in experiential, democratic, and respectful ways.

IDEA: Institute for Democratic Education in America

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Another really great site that offers resources, lesson plans, etc. in order help promote Democratic Education. I encourage you to explore these sites, even if it doesn't completely line up with your understanding of Democratic Learning/Education you may still find some really great jumping off points for your own work!


Informal Education

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This is one of my favorite resources for information regarding informal education and all that it entails. It is referred to as "The Encyclopaedia of Informal Education" and it is just that. I recommend it as a strong jumping off point if you're just beginning to explore the ideas of informal education, experiential education, democracy, or even the philosophers who've played such vital roles in researching and understanding different styles of learning and educating.