21st Century Learning: Dive Deep & Get Inspired
VIDEOS
Life at Acton Academy
A DAY IN THE LIFE
An inside look at the Acton Academy studio in Austin, TX (the first Acton Academy).
Watch the video here
A VIRTUAL TOUR OF ACTON ACADEMY
An explanation of Acton's core beliefs and how the school operates.
Watch the coverage here
DISRUPTIVE EDUCATION
An award winning independent documentary about Acton Academy.
Watch the video here
Inspirational TED Talks
SAL KAHN
Founder of Kahn Academy
Watch his TED talk here
MATT BEAUDREAU
Founder of Acton Academy Placer, CA (before he was associated with Acton)
Watch his TEDx talk here
SUGATA MITRA
Founder of School in the Clouds
Watch his TED talk here
SIR KEN ROBINSON
Education and creativity expert; highly recommend all of his TED talks
Watch his TED talk here
SHAWN ARCHOR
CEO of Good Think Inc. Positive Psychology Researcher
Watch his TEDx talk here
BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
Click book image for link to Amazon (we do not profit from purchases in any way)
Courage To Grow by
Laura A. Sandefer
All about Acton Academy, written by the founder.
If anything on this website peaks your interest then I highly recommend this book to see if Acton Academy might be the right fit for your family.
Note: Acton Academy Kennebunkport is an independent affiliate of the Acton Academy network of schools, meaning that while all of the fundamentals will be the same, we will do some things differently.
The One World School House by
Salman Khan
This is a great book that I think everyone should read, especially teachers (public, private, alternative, homeschool, etc). Salman Khan created the Khan Academy; the book discusses how it came about, but even more interesting are his ideas about education, flipping it on it's head. Even if you are in a teacher in a traditional school there are changes that would be easy to implement that I think could have real impact (I say this as a former High School Math teacher in public schools). If nothing else, it's very interesting.
Free to Learn by
Peter Gray
Excellent book highlighting that way we learn and the importance of freedom and nature. It discusses different ways of learning, like hunter-gatherer communities. It also discusses the Sudbury Valley School in MA (an alternative education school). I strongly suggest this book.
A Thomas Jefferson Education by
Oliver DeMille
Excellent, deep content, but still an easy read. The key concepts are that a true, deep education is developed through great mentors, learning the classics, 'inspire, not require', hands-on experience, and hard work.
The Smartest Kids In The World by
Amanda Ripley
So many of the themes in this book have come up in other books I've read on education such as the importance of autonomy. The book looks at various different countries and how they educate; from how they value teachers, influences of the country's past struggles, hours they spend studying, etc. A good book, worth the read certainly, but I wouldn't say my favorite book (still very good though, makes the list).
Unschooling Rules by
Clark Aldrich
A very interesting read, especially if you haven't read any similar books. It is exactly as it states "55 ways to unlearn what we know about school and rediscover education".