Self Managed Learning and the New Educational Paradigm

Self Managed Learning and the New Educational Paradigm proposes revolutionary change to the educational system. The overwhelming research evidence is that the sum total of educational and training input accounts typically for only 10–20% of what makes a person an effective human being.

Balancing theory, evidence and practice, this ground-breaking book demonstrates that current structures in education are ill-equipped to support a learning-based approach. It establishes the case that learning, as a core human activity, is too important to be left to schools and other educational institutions. The book goes beyond just a critique of current practice in showing how a New Educational Paradigm can work. Self Managed Learning College (for 9–17 year olds) has no classrooms, no lessons, no imposed timetable and no imposed curriculum. This is a place where students can learn whatever they want, in any way they want and whenever they want. And it works – as evidenced by the lives of former students and from academic research. Dr Ian Cunningham, its founder, draws also on his extensive work in using Self Managed Learning in many of the world’s largest organisations to show how this new paradigm can be put into practice.

The book blends the unequivocal research evidence that we need a New Educational Paradigm with a real live demonstration of what it could look like. It should be essential reading for anyone wanting to see how a new approach to education can be achieved.

Dr Ian Cunningham is a former Chief Executive of a business school and head of an international learning and development consultancy. He is the founder of Self Managed Learning College, Sussex, UK.