Free to learn

At De Ruimte students learn naturally. So what do they learn and how? For that matter: no one is the same. There are as many learning paths as there are students. Is it not extraordinary that you can enter a school and take charge of your own learning life? You gain experience, acquire knowledge, you make mistakes, you stumble and fall… and get up again. Is the concept of De Ruimte extraordinary, or is it really the most natural thing in the world?

Many people wonder what is being learned at De Ruimte and how. The answer is quite simple: anything you can think of (or will come up with in the future) and in many different ways. There are as many ways of effective learning as there are people and you can pick your own way. We always have students around who practise the same thing day in day out for a long period of time, for instance playing the guitar. Some of them now play in bands touring the country.

Others prefer the broader perspective and have a try a everything they encounter. Drawing in the art room, socialising on the couch, cooking lunch or joining astronomy classes. After a certain period (months, years) a focus becomes apparent and logical next steps can be defined and taken.

Children are naturally programmed to learn! Students at De Ruimte decide for themselves how, what and when they learn, in what company they spend their school days, which interests they pursue and how they prepare themselves for their life to come. Learning can be done in lessons, like at conventional schools, but there is also the freedom to learn in your very own way: by self study, research on the internet, playing games, doing an internship or a project, visiting musea, travelling, engaging in conversations and more conversations; listening to each other’s experience, discoveries, experiments and wisdom.

A lot is being learned in contextual activities, like learning to add up in the supermarket, seeing the importance to language skills in the school meeting, or understanding of English to enjoy playing games. To encourage an investigative attitude the school is arranged in a way that sparks curiosity. The environment is deliberately sober. Basically this means that materials (study books and other learning materials) are present, but are not put forward to draw attention. The challenge of the learning environment has its focus in ‘schooling together’ and natural sources like for instance the beautiful school grounds or the art room.

Most learning takes place in everyday life at school. There is also the possibility to take classes in the regular subjects or, if a large enough group of interested students can be found, a subject that is not yet on the list. If for instance you are very interested in electric engineering, you ask around if others want to join this group. If you find enough enthusiasts, you take your proposal to the Study Circle where the possibilities will be investigated.

Sometimes classes are based on self study. The used methods are specifically selected for this system. The role of the teacher is one of coach and instructor when needed.

here is a schedule where you can find the staff and teachers available at different days. Each student can make his own weekly schedule taking into account teachers’ availability.

The following domains are being covered at the moment:

1. Communication
2. Dutch language and other modern languages
3. Math and calculus
4. Physical exercise
5. Science
6. Social science
7. Art (in many forms)
8. Craft and technique
9. Other, like philosophy, computer science, catering etc.