Read & Repair feat. Minimum Viable Learning

In December’s version a group of Varia members will be sharing some methods and themes explored as part of a residency at the School of Commons.

In the last months, learning, with all its communal and convivial aspects, turned into an online-only endeavour. This sudden transition didn’t leave much room to make a judicious choice of modes of interaction, communication tools, utilised services and platforms. Within educational organisations, we witness a double movement: on the one hand, a centralisation of all activities by means of the software suite (e.g. Microsoft Teams); on the other hand, the standardisation of a maximalist mode of communication meant to replicate class interactions (e.g. Zoom meetings).

How can minimal technologies maximise a learning experience?

What could ‘minimum’ ‘viable’ ‘learning’ be?

Minimalism is for us a departure point to make space for other possible forms of technologically mediated learning.

During this Read & Repair, we will explore minimal viable forms of learning with Etherpad. Etherpad is a collaborative text editor that is often used within the practices of Varia members and their peer networks.

We will focus on exploring and rediscovering the principles of calm technology and minimal computing, and accommodate different rhythms of engagement through the Etherpad, while stretching both the tool and our understandings of what online pedagogical places could be.

Expect: __MAGICWORDS__, welcome rituals, warming up & cooling down exercises, padtiquettes and more.

Date: Sunday 13th December

Time: 11:00h – 13:00h (CET)