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Why Does School Work the Way It Does?

Bells, periods, desks in rows, grades — where did this design come from and what is it optimised for?

Ages 10–14 ~4.0 hours total
1

The History of Schools

From Prussian military training to modern classrooms — the origin story of the system.

2 lessons

The Prussian Blueprint: Why Schools Look Like Factories

Ages 12–16 25 min Intermediate

Australia's Education Story: From One-Room Schools to NAPLAN

Ages 12–16 25 min Intermediate
2

What School Is Optimised For

Compliance, standardisation, and sorting — the design goals behind the design.

2 lessons

Bells, Rows, and Tests: What the Design Reveals

Ages 12–16 25 min Intermediate

What School Doesn't Teach (And Why)

Ages 12–16 25 min Intermediate
3

What If School Were Different?

Alternative models that exist right now — Montessori, unschooling, democratic schools.

2 lessons

Alternative Schools That Already Exist

Ages 12–16 25 min Intermediate

Designing Your Own Education

Ages 12–16 25 min Intermediate