Xplore Grand Buurtcafé: learning, researching, and connecting in practice

The Agora concept

Xplore works according to the Agora concept, in which pupils do not follow fixed subjects, tests or methods, but design their own learning path based on challenges they have devised themselves. Learning is based on curiosity and intrinsic motivation, in mixed groups of different ages, levels and backgrounds. At the heart of the school is a Grand Café: a place for pupils and for the neighborhood.

The students were tasked with developing the concept for this Grand Café with a neighborhood function. To do so, they used Appreciative Inquiry, a method for positive appreciative research with multiple stakeholders. This meant that they did not start from problems, but from what already works well and what connects different stakeholders, such as the pupils, the coaches, the local residents and the welfare partners in the neighborhood.

Flexibility and perseverance

The implementation required flexibility and perseverance because the practicalities proved more difficult than initially anticipated on paper. For example, not all planned meetings took place, and some local residents dropped out. It was precisely in this context that the students demonstrated how they could function as learning professionals: openly, reflectively, and collaboratively. With the help of training tools, such as Gibbs' reflection tool, and as a close-knit team, they successfully completed their assignment. They even developed their own model: Wings.

The result is impressive: a reflection on the application of the steps of Appreciative Inquiry, a detailed concept for the Grand Buurtcafé and a code of conduct for the students of Xplore. Everything is clearly presented and designed. A powerful example of practice-oriented, professional, and collaborative learning. Thank you, Karin (Xplore), Micole Smits and students Liv de Bruin, Isabelle Baas, Myrthe Schilder, Senne Theeuwes and Pippa van den Bemd.