The Open System

voicEd Radio

The Open System: Redesigning Education and Reigniting Decmocracy offers a way of thinking differently about what it means to lay claim to a truly public education system. In this series of podcast conversations, authors Landon Mascareñaz and Doannie Tran take us on a journey through the principles of open systems and how those principles can be used to revitalize our systems of public education—one community at a time! The Open System: Redesigning Education and Reigniting Decmocracy is available through Harvard Education Press For a limited time 20% discount on your purchase of the book, use the code OSPC23

Episodes

  1. 08/03/2024

    Fostering Inclusive and Disruptive Discussions in Education with Chris Stewart

    In this episode of The Open System, guest Chris Stewart joins Landon Mascareñaz, Doannie Tran and Stephen Hurley to discuss the pressing need for redesigning education and reigniting democracy. Chris Stewart is Chief Executive Officer for brightbeam, a nonprofit network of education activists demanding a better education and a brighter future for every child. Chris is a lifelong activist and 20-year supporter of nonprofit and education-related causes.  Chris blogs and tweets under the name Citizen Stewart. He is based in Minneapolis. (bio excerpted from Ednavigator)  The conversation explores the disconnect between research and practice in education, the importance of creating inclusive spaces for challenging traditional paradigms, and the political pressures faced by education leaders. Key takeaways: Education should prioritize individual self-actualization and intellectual development to foster an informed democratic society. Current systems often fall short in achieving these goals. Creating breakthrough spaces with radical clarity, inclusive democracy, and restructured systems is crucial for fostering disruptive discussions and challenging assumptions in education. Education leaders must develop new tools to navigate the intense political climate and promote collaboration among diverse stakeholders while working towards a more open and equitable future. By addressing these critical issues, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of education and its role in strengthening democracy.

    44 min
  2. 07/12/2024

    Embracing Democratic Innovation in School Systems with Matt Leighninger

    Doannie Tran, Landon Mascareña and Stephen Hurley are joined by Matt Leighninger as we continue to explore the intersection between education and democracyand how to innovate and adapt our systems to meet the evolving needs of 21st-century citizens. Matt Leighninger directs the Center for Democracy Innovation at the National Civic League. He leads the Center’s work in strengthening democratic infrastructure, organizing national engagement efforts, and measuring the quality of engagement and democracy. Matt has been one of the central figures in democracy innovation over the last twenty years. As a network-builder, convener, author, commentator, researcher, and practitioner, he has helped catalyze and connect the key developments in the recent evolution of democracy. (bio excerpt from NCL website) Key Takeaways: Redefining Public Meetings for Greater Civic Trust:  Matt Leighninger outlines a project aimed at transforming public meetings through technology and small group deliberative processes, to make them more effective, efficient, and trustworthy. The Dynamic Nature of Democracy: Doannie Tran and Landon Mascareñaz emphasize the importance of viewing democracy as a dynamic system that must evolve to cater to diverse needs, advocating for innovative practices like liberatory design and co-creative work in public decision-making spaces. Hope Amidst Polarization: Despite current democratic stresses, Matt Leighninger and the team remain hopeful, highlighting that most people desire community collaboration and innovation. This optimism is grounded in historical successes and the present willingness of individuals to engage in improving local democracies through creative and participatory processes.

    41 min

About

The Open System: Redesigning Education and Reigniting Decmocracy offers a way of thinking differently about what it means to lay claim to a truly public education system. In this series of podcast conversations, authors Landon Mascareñaz and Doannie Tran take us on a journey through the principles of open systems and how those principles can be used to revitalize our systems of public education—one community at a time! The Open System: Redesigning Education and Reigniting Decmocracy is available through Harvard Education Press For a limited time 20% discount on your purchase of the book, use the code OSPC23