EarthTIES.org and co-sponsor Endicott College presents

An eConference

Evolving the Radical Nature of Montessori Education
22 October - 11 November

Background

In Education for a New World (1946) Maria Montessori writes:

Scientific observation has established that education is not what the teacher gives; education is a natural process spontaneously carried out by the human individual, and is acquired not by listening to words but by experiences upon the environment. The task of the teacher becomes that of preparing a series of motives of cultural activity, and then refraining from obtrusive interference. [As servants of the child] human teachers can only help the great work that is being done.

Doing so, they will be witness to the unfolding of the human soul and to the rising of a New Human who will not be the victim of events, but will have the clarity of vision to direct and shape the future of human society.


It is quite clear to most long time Montessori practitioners that the direction of Montessori's insights was not limited to the transfer of knowledge through the sequential presentation of didactic materials. The published works of her later years, Education for a New World (1946), To Educate the Human Potential (1948), The Absorbent Mind (1949) and The Formation of Man (1950) point to the construction of a new culture, a new society --even a new human-- that would be liberated from age old prejudices and be able to create a "higher and more peaceful civilization."

This conference invites Montessorians and other educators from around the world to explore this realm of Montessori education. We ask:

In what ways is Montessori education contributing to the foundation and evolution of a new humanity?

Presenters from around the world will engage participants through in depth dialogues where the boundary between teacher-learner and learner-teacher rests on the capacity for each of us to be fully present.

Facilitation

The facilitators of this conference, Philip Snow Gang and Marsha Snow Morgan, have been developing learning environments for adults that are most clearly described in Montessori's The Function of the University. They provide Montessorians and others a "prepared environment" to earn the degree "M.Ed. Montessori Integrative Learning" (Integrative Learning for non-Montessorians). Almost all of this work is completed on an eCampus expressly designed by BigMindMedia, whose aspirations are to bring a deeper level of human experience to online social process and learning. Primary to this on-line process is a non-hierarchical, holographic, integrated network of seminars and workshops that encourage the development of a global learning community... that will continue long after the event is over.

We realize that nothing will replace face to face meetings of people to explore common interests. However from our experience we can articulate some of the benefits of virtual conferences:

1. Everyone is a participant in dialogue with the presenter.
   
   
2. There is time to "think and reflect" prior to responding to another's comments.
   
   
3. There is an opportunity to develop a mutually interdependent web of connection that we identify as a learning community. The space is set up so that there are areas for people to gather informally; areas where presentations are shared; and areas where participants can address their individual work or passionate interest.
   
   
4. When the conference is over there is a complete written record that can be used to further the objectives of the event.
   
   
5. Since participants telecommunicate in asynchronous time, there is no negative effect on the physical environment; i.e. with no transportation to and from the event, there is less pollution from fossil fuels.
   
   
6. There is a substantial savings in travel, hotel and food expenses.
   
   
7. Dialogue is embraced as the medium of exchange in order to explore issues and ideas in a non-adversarial manner.

How does the Conference Work?

Throughout the four week event, participants will log on from all over the world in asynchronous time. During the first week, the facilitators will help everyone by describing the technology of the conference and addressing (1) the limitations of language and (2) dialogue as a mode of inquiry.

People will "attend" five-day sessions led by presenters. These sessions are conducted through a virtual site enabling everyone to read all comments posted by each person. At the end of each five-day period there will be a space for weaving the perspectives of presenters who are giving simultaneous sessions.

In addition to the presentation/responses there will be an "Open Space" area where participants can create an Item on an issue of paramount importance to them.

An online Resource Center will be available to help people connect with resources that further the possibilities described in the section below.

Possibilities from Participation

The conference has three major perspectives:

First, it seeks to instill a sense of urgency among people who are working at all levels of Montessori -- with children, adolescents and adult communities. This urgency would recognize the critical nature of the world 100 years after the birth of the Montessori movement. Whereas people outside the movement may not have known of Dr. Montessori's contributions during the twentieth century, today a vast array of historians, cosmologists, scientists and psychologists are arriving at similar conclusions without the benefit of her expertise. And that expertise was a "method", an "approach" that provides a pathway for the achievement of universal understanding.

Second, it is hoped that people will begin to grasp the fullness of the emerging story of the eco-cosmological perspective, so that the actions we take are mediated by the largest possible context of systemic understanding and interconnections.

Third, it is anticipated that emerging from this event there will be groups of individuals around the world meeting in small communities to explore the ideas set forth during this conference.

Justification

Although other conferences with similar goals have been convened, attendance has been limited to those who could afford to travel to a conference and spend time at a physical setting. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of potential participants who live outside the USA -many from countries where there is not an equitable relationship between their local currency and the US dollar- have been unable to attend these events because of time, distance and cost.

The information and experience of this conference is critical at the present moment of global history. No other format can bring people from all over the world together to discuss and discover the possibilities for the needed transitions.

Participation Fee

The conference fee is $150 USD.