Some things are central to what ALCs are about, while other elements are flexible and may vary between communities. We use a metaphor of a tree to illustrate this aspect of the ALC educational model more clearly.

 

The soil we grow from is trust: in students, in each other, in you. The four assumptions—roots—which ground us are as follows:

• Learning: Learning is natural. It’s happening all the time.

• Self-Direction: People learn best by making their own decisions. Children are people.

• Experience: People learn more from their culture and environment than from the content they are taught. The medium is the message.

• Success: Accomplishment is achieved through cycles of intention, creation, reflection and sharing.

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