What is UnboringLearning?
Unboring Learning is an attempt to spark interest in subjects that can sometimes be weighed down by figures and aren’t always written about in the most elegant ways. My firm belief is that an active interest in subjects you are studying directly relates to higher grades and an easier time for students as we move through school. Unfortunately, most academic models don’t account for fun or interest much. This website seeks to bring together the best resources on a wide range of topics and present some of the more interesting aspects of arts and humanities. Buildings are too beige, people too tame and society too unimaginative. Let’s change all that.
-Nick Thornton, CEO
CEO Nick Thornton at Tedx Terry Talks Vancouver Nov. 2013
Why?
As students and educators, we’re tired of seeing people drop out of arts courses, get frustrated or feel like the arts and humanities are just a bunch of hogwash. We believe that if things are presented in the right way, a bit more like a story and with practical examples, anybody can learn anything. We also see a need to knock over the ivory towers and replace them with safe, respectful, intellectual communities that acknowledge queer, indigenous and alternative viewpoints rather than just master narratives and academia for academia-sake. We are here to learn and to listen. We also believe that in “flipping the classroom,” we need acknowledge different learning styles and the fact that not everybody has access to the internet, which is why we’re working with the world’s most innovative educators to create resources for teachers to use technology (or not) in the most effective way.
How?
Unboring Learning operates with the full and part-time support of a small team of volunteers, who put in a large amount of time and thought to make the site amazing. We believe in good design but also passionate experimentation and are never afraid to take criticism and adapt. Let us know how we’re doing or what you’d like to see. We believe education is a right and are a not-for-profit organization funded by ourselves and generous donations by fine folks like yourself.
When?
Unboring Learning launched officially on March 8, 2012.
Who?
Nick is in his final year of university completing a BA (History major, English Lit. minor) and is in love with education and learning. He took a long time to get to post-secondary school and is taking his sweet time while there now. His hobbies include painting, playing soccer, reading, taking photos, listening to and playing music and clearly, working on this website.
Cory joined us in February 2013 to run our Social Media accounts and help us get Unboring Learning out to students and teachers all around the world. Cory is currently working on his B.Ed and wants to head into education, where he hopes to be an inspirational high school teacher. When not making the world more unboring, Cory enjoys writing, and is working on a novel manuscript.