Content-type: text/html Downes.ca ~ Stephen's Web ~ Let’s Hear It for Educational Freedom!

Stephen Downes

Knowledge, Learning, Community

Like so many other words in our field, the word 'freedom' suffers from ambiguity. In education, in particular, the word 'freedom' is often equated with 'choice'. That's what we read in this column. But from where I sit, freedom isn't choice. Freedom is agency. Indeed, choice - by limiting agency - is often the opposite of freedom. So when I read advocacy journalism such as this article I reframe the question, asking whether the alternatives support increased agency. All too often I find that they undermine agency instead, replacing the best interests of students with the narrow interests of lobbyists or funders.

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Stephen Downes Stephen Downes, Casselman, Canada
stephen@downes.ca

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Last Updated: Dec 22, 2024 11:33 a.m.

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