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What am
to do
Inspiration for 4th Dimension Centre of Education Sneha Sureka
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What am
to do
Contents: On Education
1
Manifesto
3
Ethos
7
Course Structure
11
Curriculum
13
Inspiration
17
“ “
A world without design just means chaos and that would get us nowhere.
”
Jonathan Barnbrook
Creativity is as important in education as literacy, and we should treat it with the same status.
If you’re not prepared to be wrong, you’ll never come up with anything original.
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The result is that we are educating people out of their creative capacities. Sir Ken Robinson
“ ” “
In its simple and rudimental form, it is a school of knowledge of every kind, consisting of teachers and learners from every quarter. Such as this a University seems to be in its essence, a place for the communication and circulation of thought.
School of Universal Learning
It is a place to which a thousand schools make contributions. It is the place which wins the admiration of the young by its celebrity, kindles the affections of the middle-aged by its beauty, and rivets the fidelity of the old by its associations.
John Henry Cardinal Newman
An aimless life is always a miserable life. The Mother
The first principle of true teaching is that nothing can be taught. The teacher is not an instructor or task-master, he is a helper and a guide. Sri Aurobindo
”
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Manifesto
4th Dimension Centre of Education
“Creativity is needed for change, improvement and new directions.” – Edward De Bono
3.//
T
his new centre of education is built on the notions and thoughts that have
There are several rules and regulations, but because this centre is built on notions of
been discussed at length by several great minds from past and present. John
creativity and free thinking, the rules are specific to their purpose and not imposed
Henry Cardinal Newman has written at length about a “School of Universal Learning”
as a fixed system. But discipline runs through the veins of this centre because without
way back in the 19th century. He talks about how a university is ‘a place for the
it, nothing can be achieved!
communication and circulation of thought.’ Such is a university.
First and foremost this centre is for those students who choose to be here. They
In today’s world, a university is a place for higher education primarily geared for the
want to study here, not because they cannot get through anywhere else or are misfits in
need to sustain our economic and political systems and less about our personal needs.
any other institute, but because this is the only place they want to be. They choose
We do not want to confuse that notion of thought with our centre and that is why it
to come here because they have faith in this system of learning and believe that only
has been named as the ‘4th Dimension Centre of Education.’
here they can develop and grow to the best of their capacity.
This centre is for students who are old enough to choose design and thinking as
This system of education is complete, mind, body and soul. This centre is not
their way of life. This awareness of passion can happen at an early age of 14 or even
going to produce robots that mug up information and are unaware of what to do or
at a later stage of 40. Age is not a an obstacle. So that this centre can run harmoniously
think in an unrehearsed situation. In this centre, a holistic approach will be implied
and evolve to its full capacity, it has some definite set of beliefs and anyone looking to
where each individual has room to grow into themselves rather than products for
join this centre has to synonymise with its notion of thoughts.
specific requirements for a short period of time.
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Here they will have a chance to develop an individual mind, a mind that they can call
towards perfection, to be curious and always thirsty to learn more. Knowledge
their own. There will be no exercises to increase creative thinking, but rather learn to
is in abundance in this universe and no one is too young or too old to learn more.
understand what creativity is and how it can grow in an unmeasured manner. This will
Knowledge is infinite and even a lifetime of learning is not enough!
help them solve mysteries of life and solve everyday problems because each one will have a unique outlook and perspective towards life rather than aping existing shadows.
To achieve this personal quality of learning, it is important that all possible facilities will be made available for each student. But they should remember that although
In order that no robots are produced, the teachers will not be teaching the student,
the facilities are made available to them, they are not here to concentrate and focus
but rather they will be guiding them. Sri Aurobindo said – “The first principle of true
on only one subject or activity. They are not here to specialise and restrict their
teaching is that nothing can be taught. The teacher is not an instructor or task-master, he is
knowledge, but rather open themselves to the vast knowledge of myriad possibilities.
a helper and a guide. His business is to suggest and not to impose. He does not actually train the pupil’s mind, he only shows him how to perfect his instruments of knowledge and helps
To welcome students to this concept of free-thinking, it is important that the centre
and encourages him in the process. He does not impart knowledge to him, he shows him how
itself is not run as a mere business. Although such possibilities cannot come without
to acquire knowledge for himself.”
a cost, but at its core the centre is run on a principle of progress and future-thinking. Therefore making money is not this centre’s aim. Just like the students, this centre
In return the student must have an open mind. They should not come to this centre
will be run by those who believe in it’s ethos and are not here to make money and
to gain a degree so that they can secure a successful job, etc. They should come
pursue a greedy career.
here with the intention to learn and to gain knowledge. Their aim should be
5.//
And last of all, this place is not for those who think that creativity, design and thinking is a job, but they believe that creativity, design and thinking is a way of life, and that is the only way of life they want to live.
As Sir Ken Robinson says that we stand today ‘in a place where we have no idea what’s going to happen, in the terms of the future’, it is important that we embrace the ‘extraordinary evidence of human creativity.’ We are standing at cross roads where all resources have been overused and it is time for a new way of life with a notion of future thinking. It is time to explore the next dimension of thinking and it is time to break out of our fixed ideas. It is time to step into the next dimension, the 4th dimension! So this is to all the people out there, who are open to learning and who believe in this centre’s ethos – welcome to the 4th Dimension Centre of Education.
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Ethos
4th Dimension Centre of Education
7.//
Aim of the 4th Dimension Centre of Education
Services
Marketing Strategy
Everyone working for this centre aims towards providing a unique and an integral education to meet the holistic needs of the students. It is essential that they are aware that the students are the future of the world. The centre is a place for the students to discover their inner self, to understand the world in all its complexity and find their place in it. The environment of the centre will be as productive and flexible as the needs of individual students. This opportunity is provided so that the students can find their life purpose as well as their purpose in the universe, allowing them to build a better future.
The services provided are to address the diverse needs of the students. Considering that this centre is a thinking and design centre, all the needs of the students will be taken into account such as the mental, physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual realms of their beings. This centre focuses on a holistic approach towards education and development.
The 4th Dimension Centre of Education differentiates itself by emphasising the importance of self-knowledge as well as worldknowledge and asserting the uniqueness of every student and the special role in life that they must discover for themselves in order to fulfill it. With this emphasis and approach to education, the students are prepared to face their own personal challenges as well as what the world faces in order for a better future and to find their key role in this development.
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9.//
Management
Finance
Risks
This centre will be run as a partnered responsibility so that the students can receive full attention at all times. The staff appointed also believes in this unique system of learning. There will be a number of staff available full time to meet the students’ needs, but because of the vastness of opportunities and subject routes provided, it is impossible for all staff to be present at all times. To solve this problem, there will be a number of staff available for a certain number of hours during the week, dedicated specifically to that area of interest requested by the students.
Although there will be a tuition fee, education here is not going to be run as a business. The tuition fee will be a necessity to run the centre. A large number of staff will be appointed on a voluntary basis so that they can dedicate a certain number of hours per week in order to be a part of this unique system of education. The rest depends on whether this institute runs privately or as a government learning centre. Since this centre has several facilities, they could also be rented out while not in use.
There are several risks involved in this project. Because of the facilities provided for the students, the organisation body could grow larger than what the finances of the centre can afford. There is also a possibility that the number of students required in order to run group projects or team sports activities, fall short. The aim of the centre might be too specialised and therefore unable to explain or justify itself. The relevant funds necessary for such a large project cannot be met. The focused mind set required to run this centre cannot be matched.
Long Term Opportunities
Target Group
Future Aspirations
People today are slowly becoming aware of the need for an innovative system of education and our centre meets this need with a holistic approach. Since this centre has an integrated education philosophy, to be a part of this learning centre is a unique opportunity. This vision of education will be valued by individuals as well as families seeking for an alternative system of education. The students here will also develop a strong position in the world as their education will be holistic and their view and philosophy of education will be singular and unparalleled.
This centre is specifically aimed to those students who believe in the centre’s Manifesto.
Since this learning system is unique, it aspires to reach as many individuals who seek this kind of learning. The aspiration of this centre is not a business proposition, but rather a unique opportunity to meet the very diverse and often conflicting needs of current social orders. Because of its holistic approach towards an integrated education philosophy, this centre aspires to spread throughout the world. Although it begins with a specialist area in thinking / design, a similar approach could be taken as per the necessity of the area of practice taken into consideration. This is the only way for the centre to broaden its message. The 4th Dimension Centre of Education is only the beginning.
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St Co ru ur ctu se re The curriculum is designed a bit differently in order to best suit the students. Instead of asking students to choose an area of specialism, they will be a given a choice of several projects. This way they do not have to stick to a fixed area of practice and they can tackle their work in generalised fashion. This way they can develop several skills, but learn to solve problems in their projects. The students will then be grouped according to the projects they have picked. This does not limit them to their project groups as they can still interact with all students regardless of their chosen projects. 11.//
Once they have selected their projects, they can choose to compose their curriculum personally. The basic structure will be provided, but they can customise their course content by selecting a blend of complimentary subjects as well as extra curricular activities. The reason to give students this opportunity to customise their course content is because each student gets what they are looking for in this learning centre. This way they get freedom to create a personalised curriculum that fits their needs favourably. In case they require assistance due to uncertainty, the guidance is always available. There will always be tutors personally overlooking every students’ well being without interference unless absolutely necessary for the students’ benefit. There will be a number of projects available to choose from. The students get to decide how to answer the projects, using whichever area of practice they decide to explore. The method of work is obviously again their choice.
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Monday
Tuesday
day Wednes
Major Subject
9 am
10 am
y Thursda
Major Subject mentar y Compli Subject
11 am
ime Study T
Friday
Extra lar Curricu Classes
Saturday
Sunday
l Optiona Group Projects
12 pm
ge Langua
1 pm ge Langua / Reading phy/ Philoso e r Literatu
2 pm
3 pm
Extra lar Curricu Classes
Visiting rs Lecture
mentar y Compli Subject
4 pm
Sports
5 pm
6 pm
7 pm 13.//
Sports
Dance
Sports
ing Garden
Sports
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ss? ular cla c i r r u C an Extra What is subjects e h t l l a o ated t s be dedic o learn, but doe t l l i w e ubjec This tim ts would like t Major S ir n e e h d t u r t e that s l und uld be sarily fal ubject. They co uments s e c e n t no instr ar y S pliment musical se o m t o g C in r o w e from dra ider y. Th anything elling to embro ress oneself od xp to clay m to explore and e r than what e he r classes a fferent means ot di through er wise. oth they do
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e iteratur L / y h p o / Philos cts Reading oth subje and b e r a g able inkin g and th extremely valu der to in n ig s e D olds n or centre h centre. I t that the of this learning students are no e e r h that t s of at the co portant own way eric im ir e s i h t it , h do so d wit n gen eoccupie re discussions o thod r p s y a alw me efo and ther erar y works is a ays g in k in h t t tw t li differen d s or grea thought them to explore n philosophy an g so s, of openin ese discussion interpretation e Th . tiv thinking l lead to alterna oughts out l i th w e r rage reading dents to explo ll encou i u w t s s i g Th in a nes. help mfort zo own thoughts in o c ir e h t of their explore out them to way. reaking b s a y n r e more op es are compulso ividual minds ss ind These cla ine of their own ing. But they do sh ut of the ro t as well as refre literar y work tan any e is impor e of choosing ly choos e iv t c ic le l o o h have a c phy that they c o s lo i or a ph re. to explo
ges Langua
f means o m used to a t s ju t e is no mediu Languag ation, but also a at great minds ic wh e commun an histor y and expression of th m u n archive h ht. It is used as a ver y valuable. g re u o have tho he heart, theref language they y dt mind an ts can choose an n e The stud rn. ce y, but on ue lea r o o t ls h u s p i w om ntin s is not c ave to co This clas ts join it, they h . rm en the stud the teaching te t u o through
ity pportun is o e h t s t ose. Th studen ives the dance they cho d, the g s s la c This m of joine e any for class, but once r lo p x e t the to ulsor y oughou p r h m t o it c e a u ntin is not ave to co h s t n e d stu term. teaching Dance
ing Garden
ature ct with n ee e n n o c tr y to g is a wa from a seed to a tant in n e d r a s t G grow ou break from con e f li e e s and lso a This is a xes your mind. you . r e w o fl or rela once and also lass, but thinking a compulsor y c ughout the ot thro This is n ontinue c t s u m u join it yo rm. te teaching
al as ment t n a t r o our s imp ies are a nt to develop y . it iv t c a l y a Physica ke it is import our bod y p lo e v li st de ones! Ju s important to oordination a s gc i mind, it ay of developin al lessons about vit is w A sport helps you learn r to be a good o o d and it als rn to lead a team n to set goals an ar lea life. You the team, you le ou also learn to f y o , member aspire for them lose with the or self see your e right attitude h t a win with le thrice b la . i a it v ir a On right sp be made is compulsor y. l l i w y t li This faci nly one of them ll, Volleyball, to tba u week, b e games (Baske Each student e. , th that day tc) will take plac l have to il e w l, Footbal ames that they er y week ev og picks tw in, alternatively . e t rm a ching te ding Sunday), particip a e t e h t clu out through er three days (in thletics will h t dA On the o , Gymnastics an s to join them. g ant Swimmin for whoever w em, you must le b d th be availa once have joine g term. s, hin As alway ughout the teac ro attend th
Sports
Compulsory 15.//
Optional but recommended
Monday
Tuesday
day Wednes
Major Subject
9 am
10 am
y Thursda
Major Subject mentar y Compli Subject
11 am
ime Study T
Friday
Extra lar Curricu Classes
Saturday
Sunday
l Optiona Group Projects
12 pm
ge Langua
1 pm ge Langua / Reading phy/ Philoso e r Literatu
2 pm
3 pm
Extra lar Curricu Classes
Visiting rs Lecture
mentar y Compli Subject
4 pm
Sports
5 pm
6 pm
Sports
Dance
Sports
ing Garden
Sports
7 pm
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The world is but a canvas to the imagination. Henri David Thoreau
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IDE A man may die, nations may rise and fall, but an idea lives on. John F Kennedy
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Sw am iV ive ka na nd a
21.//
no o ther teac her
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Doyald Young
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25.//
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27.//
pecial talent. assionately bert Einstein \\.28
29.//
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CONCENTRATE
33.//
!
35.//
SILENCE
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37.//
tivity. Creativit y. rea C re a
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39.//
Th er cr e i s ea no t hu ivity dou m i s bt cr an r the tha ea es m t t o pr ivity urce ost i og , t o m h fo ress ere f all port re , a w . W an v n Ed er r d w ould ith t wa epe e w b out rd at o e n De ing uld o Bo the be no p att er ns .
41.//
Axel Peemoeller designed a i “way-finding-system” for the Eureka Tower Carpark in Melbourne.
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I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set it free. Michaelangelo
43.//
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Good design is a lot like clear thinking made visual. Edward Tufte
Good design is obvious.
45.//
Great design is transparent. Joe Sparano
Design creates culture. Culture shapes values. Values determine the future. Robert L. Peters
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I’ve failed over
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issed. m d ot an h s g nin n i w
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ich ael
hy I su
cceed.
Jor dan \\.48
49.//
Simplicity is not the goal. It is the by-product of a good idea and modest expectations. Paul Rand
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SUCCESS
Success is the ability to go from failure to failure with
51.//
hout losing your enthusiasm. Sir Winston Churchill
FAILURE \\.52
A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add,
but when there is nothing left to take away.
53.//
Antoine de Saint ExupĂŠry
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Michelangelo 55.//
n
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