Experiments and Learning

Acton Academy Kuala Lumpur started with a series of experiments in peer learning. Does this mean that there are no more peer learning experiments? We think otherwise

We started from this one question: “What if learning can be like ants, where students learn from each other instead being taught by teachers?” We tried to seek the answers by experiments through the Ant Learning project. Each experiment led to more questions and more experiments. Besides conducting experiments, we studied hands-on approaches and research of world-class educators.

Eventually, we arrived at Acton Academy. It was as if seeing experiments being done decades ahead of us. Now that Ant Learning evolves as part of the Acton Academy network, does this mean that we are done with our experiments?

We certainly do not believe so. One of the design principles of Ant Learning and Acton Academy is that we want to fail early, cheaply and often. We believe that failure, especially combined with reflection, meaningful feedback and a growth mindset is one of the best ways to grow, learn and succeed.

Particularly, we take Derek Sivers approach. He explained that failure is necessary because of effective learning, growth mindset, and quality through experimentation.

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_youtube id=”HhxcFGuKOys” width=”600″ height=”350″ autoplay=”no” api_params=”” class=””/]

Being part of the Acton Academy network is being part of an education awakening.  Hundreds if not thousands of experiments of peer learning are conducted on a global scale and they are shared throughout the network. The founders of Acton Academy believed that we are merely scratching the surface of student-driven/ peer learning. In their words:

“It’s year 7 now and this is just the tip of the iceberg. We estimate we’ve discovered perhaps 20% of what young people are capable of in terms of leading themselves and others. Frankly, they continue to amaze us with the things they create and do.”

Now, the mission of Acton Academy is to inspire each child and parent who enters our doors to find a calling that will change the world. That audacious dream of unlimited growth and potential is only realized by embracing failure. Specifically, we are motivated towards deliberate practice and being in the challenge zones.

Hence, Acton Academy Kuala Lumpur still and will always be a continuous experiment. Because this mindset towards life and failure best serve the mission and is one that put us in a position of Socratic wisdom: “I know that I do not know” and learning.

Oh, it is more fun too.