Since the dawn of time, people have relied on stories to interpret the world around them. Stories have the remarkable ability to captivate our hearts and minds, leading us to fall in love with causes and shaping our attitudes. But what if there was something even better than listening to a story? It's the art of learning to tell a story, an experience that can change your life and the lives of others.

Personal Transformations Through Storytelling

Eight years ago, I left the world of PR to explore the stories of lesser known heroes across the Philippines. There, I met inspiring individuals ranging from Benjie, a former street child turned community leader, to Fabien, at the time a French university student who founded a purpose-driven toy business - on a farm! These encounters transformed my worldview, inspiring me to write a book and delve into social enterprise.

‍

From that point on, MAD has been dedicated to harnessing the power of storytelling to inspire students to create change. However, we recently identified a missing piece in our mission. While our 'interactive adventures' introduced young people to new ideas and role models, we wanted students to become storytellers themselves. Our vision is for students to multiply stories, sharing global issues from diverse perspectives all around the world.

Introducing Docathon: A Storytelling Revolution

To bridge this gap, we created Docathon, a filmmaking competition designed for students. In Docathon, young filmmakers select a pressing global concern related to a chosen theme that aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They delve into the topic by collaborating with a local organization or NGO addressing the same issue in their community. Based on this organization's work, students create short educational documentaries. Moreover, to ensure students are well-equipped for this storytelling journey, we provide them with an online course, teaching them how to craft powerful and impactful stories.

‍

The process doesn't end with filmmaking. Students also organize screening events within their schools, making their stories accessible to a wider audience. Leading entries have the opportunity to participate in Interschool Docathons, held online, showcasing their work in a "Oscar's style" Film Event. The winning films not only receive recognition but also a cash prize, a portion of which is donated to the NGO or social enterprise featured in their film. Additionally, the MAD team in London transforms the winning stories into interactive adventures, ensuring that these tales continue to inspire and educate a global audience.

Empowering Students Through Storytelling

Why is storytelling so beneficial for students? It offers a wealth of advantages:

• Critical Skills: Crafting narratives hones communication skills, vital in academics and careers.
• Creativity: Stories foster creativity, encouraging out-of-the-box thinking.
• Empathy: Students develop empathy by immersing themselves in characters' perspectives.
• Passion for Learning: Storytelling connects abstract concepts to real life, making education engaging.
• Confidence: Sharing stories boosts confidence and communication skills, applicable in various life situations.

A Personal Testimony

Recently, we partnered with Doc-in-a-Day, a London-based filmmaking competition. The theme, "purpose," was drawn from a hat by one of the participants and - drawn in by the enthusiasm of the other eight teams - I unexpectedly found myself creating a documentary myself, 'on the fly.'  It was a thrilling experience, reaching out to people at the last minute, and asking them to share their stories in our documentary. While our movie didn't win any awards, the opportunity itself got me out of my comfort zone, taught me valuable skills, and rekindled my passion for storytelling.

In summary, storytelling is a transformative tool with the potential to inspire change. Docathon's mission is to empower students to become storytellers, connecting them to learning, people, and positive change. Storytelling equips students with the confidence, empathy, and communication skills needed for success in academics and life. Let's continue sharing and creating stories that shape a better world.

If you'd like to participate in the upcoming Docathon and/or organize a film festival in your school, get in touch with our team at suji@madcourses.com. If you would like to sponsor a Docathon, please contact tom@madcourses.com.

In the realm of international education, a crucial element has often been missing from the equation: genuine connection. Social enterprises like MAD have a strong foothold in local communities, enabling them to share their remarkable stories with the world. Then there are the world-class schools with dedicated teachers who possess an in-depth understanding of the curriculum and a profound commitment to equipping their students with essential skills, mindsets, and tools. Finally, there are the students, who, when given the opportunity, continually astound us with their insights and creative problem-solving abilities in real-world scenarios.

‍

However, the unfortunate reality until recently was that these dedicated teachers, passionate students, and remarkable social enterprises like MAD would only cross paths once or twice a year, typically during a field trip, or for a fundraising activity.

‍

MAD's Mission: Year-Round Collaboration

MAD's mission is to revolutionize this paradigm by facilitating the continuous convergence of these three groups throughout the year. We believe that by fostering this ongoing interaction, we can all learn from each other and collectively shape a brighter future. That's why MAD has forged partnerships with five prestigious international schools for the current academic year. The aim? To engage teachers and students in the co-creation of resources that cater to their actual needs.

‍

Empowering Educators, Inspiring Students

As part of this collaborative effort, we are providing teachers with high-quality interactive resources to simplify their teaching of best practices related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and systems thinking. Kathryn Berkman from Munich International School, whose students will use the course to develop concepts of identity, culture, and perspective, says, "(Before this opportunity arose) I was teaching systems thinking tools on my own, without guidance or progression.” Now, she is “most excited” for her students to be part of a larger community of changemakers, and have the support of MAD courses as her students develop their projects.

Berenice Reyes from the American School of Puerto Vallarta expresses her enthusiasm, stating, "I am most excited about the possibility of trying a new strategy and having clear resources to create unique and impactful projects that transform our society”, adding that the resources “provide our students with tools and knowledge that will benefit them for a lifetime."

‍

‍

By involving students in the development phase, we empower them to be active agents of change. Their insights and contributions today will lay the foundation for an even more enriching student learning experience in the future. One student from the American School of Puerto Vallarta commented, after going on an interactive adventure to learn about an indigenous community in the Philippines:

“it was a profoundly moving and important experience that changed the way I think about native communities,” while another added: “I find it amazing that the school added this class as a requirement because it will teach us to be better citizens in our (own, local) community and help those in need.”

‍

Celebrating the Collaborative Spirit: MAD's Journey Forward

Our mission is to continually learn and enhance the quality of our courses by listening to teachers and students. It's heartwarming to receive positive feedback from educators like Robin Neal from Frankfurt International School, who notes,

"The level of care and empathy evident in the MAD course design is immediately apparent. The interface is sophisticated and surprisingly centered around the human experience, a quality I have not encountered in other online platforms focused on design thinking." He further praises the content as "rich, adaptable, humorous, and beneficial for anyone interested in understanding how design can improve our world."

‍

We express our gratitude to Robin and all our development partners, along with their students, for their invaluable contributions. With their support, we are just beginning this transformative journey!

‍

‍

Are you interested in joining us for the ride? We are eager to expand our network of development partners between now and the end of the year. Join us on this unique journey in service learning, as we grow a global community of educators and students who learn together, grow together, and make a positive impact on the world. 

‍

Contact Suji at suji@madcourses.com to build your Service Program now, and click here to register for our free course.

‍

We are excited to announce an exciting partnership that promises to further innovation in education for sustainability. Compass Education and MAD Courses have joined forces to empower educators and students to create  lasting positive impact in the world.

At MAD Courses, we've always been inspired by Compass Education's approaches to systems thinking. We recognize the critical importance of understanding the intricate web of interconnected factors that underlie complex issues before attempting to solve them. Our shared belief is that deep comprehension of these complexities is key to crafting truly human-centered solutions that make a meaningful difference to those in need. And this is why we have integrated the SUSTAINABILITY COMPASS to our ChangeMaker Launchpad - so that students zoom out and see the interconnectedness of issues they want to tackle, and investigate root causes of these issues. 

What makes this partnership truly special is the opportunity to apply systems thinking tools to a real-life case study - and that’s when MAD’s INTERACTIVE ADVENTURE comes in. 

In our pursuit of promoting this transformative approach, we are thrilled to offer you an exclusive opportunity. Together, we present our latest online course—a journey that will take you deep into the heart of the Philippines, to the vibrant community of Lobo. Here, you'll harness the power of Systems Thinking to explore the root causes of complex issues within this community. And the best part? This course is completely FREE! 🌱🔍

Calling All Service & Global Citizenship Educators

Are you a dedicated educator shaping the future of Service and Global Citizenship? 🌟🎓 If so, this course is tailor-made for you. Here's how you can get started:

‍

‍

• Register for the Systems Thinking in Lobo Course: It all begins by simply filling out our interest form. And the journey begins.
• Take the Course: We recommend allocating 1-2 class periods to immerse yourself and your students in the world of systems thinking. Together, you will have the opportunity to apply systems thinking tools to real-world issues and learn from each other.
• Provide Valuable Feedback: Your insights are invaluable to us. After completing the course, please share your thoughts through our post-course impact survey. The link is in the course. Your feedback will guide us in continuous improvement, growing our educational impact.‍
• Explore Further Opportunities: Whether you're looking for engaging resources for your students with MAD Courses or seeking professional development opportunities with Compass Education, there's a wealth of possibilities waiting for you.

‍

Join Us in Catalyzing Change

This partnership transcends education; it's about igniting informed action across the globe. Together, Compass Education and MAD Courses are committed to equipping educators and students with the skills and knowledge to become engaged, and empowered change-makers, ready to tackle the world's most pressing challenges.

Stay tuned for exciting updates as we embark on this partnership journey over the coming weeks and months. We'll be sharing feedback to support your educational journey and learn together!

To stay up-to-date and engage with us, follow us on social media:

• Compass Education: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn‍
• MAD Courses: Instagram | LinkedIn

‍

We are eager to embark on this transformative journey with you. Together, we will make a meaningful difference!

‍

Case study - A 5 years meaningful partnership between MAD (Make A Difference) Courses and British School Manila (BSM) - exploring how merging the strengths of a forward thinking international school and an impactful social enterprise can #makeadifference

‍

Service, Sustainability, Global citizenship -  when we ask schools about their approach to these timely topics, they all have different answers. Most international schools set this as a priority although, for a variety of reasons, some are able to ‘walk the talk’ more than others. In this post, we’d like to share with you the story of our work with the British School Manila (BSM), whose purpose-driven leadership team have paved the way for a truly meaningful and innovative partnership. Hopefully this story will give your school more ideas on ways to engage both educators and students in sustainability and help #makeadifference. 

‍

Our collaboration with BSM began in a more conventional mode - as an external 3rd party service trip provider for the school. And yet Martin van der Linde (Head of School), had other ideas: What if BSM might bring a social enterprise such as MAD to work within the school? Martin’s brief to the MAD team (we are paraphrasing!): Help us to forge closer connections between the school, its students and a wide array of NGOs and social enterprises and, in so doing, help integrate sustainability within the curriculum. 

‍

The outcome has been the creation of a robust program for Global Citizenship Education, based around 3 pillars:

1. Community Outreach and Service Learning: 

“Working with MAD has allowed us to really increase the quality of the opportunities that we offer our students. MAD has built an amazing web of connections and links between a whole variety of communities and environmental groups.” Michael Guinness, Whole School Global Citizenship Coordinator at BSM.  

‍

A dynamic partnership begins with dynamic individuals. Representing MAD is our co-founder, Raf Dionisio, who is now part of the British School Manila campus, collaborating closely with their Service and Sustainability coordinators and teachers across all levels.   

That being said, Raf knows he wouldn’t get very far without a committed colleague at the school: “To create real, meaningful change in Service and Sustainability, you need support from staff within the school who share that common purpose. Fortunately, Michael is a true visionary himself, and we’ve been able to develop an amazing working relationship right from the get-go,” Raf explains.

‍

So what ‘action’ might this all translate into? One highlight is our large-scale initiative called "Make A Difference Week", which happens annually. This week blends online learning (interactive adventures) with engaging activities and excursions all in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, service, and leadership building. Meanwhile, this initiative has been supporting CAS (Community, Activity, and Service) programs and SAA (Service as Action) for younger kids. The objective is to engage, encourage and empower students when engaging with their local community partners.

‍

2. Curriculum Integration: 

“(Thanks to this partnership) we always have opportunities for a meaningful real world transfer of learning across our curriculum.” Michael Guinness, Whole School Global Citizenship Coordinator at BSM.  

‍

Quite surprisingly, despite sustainability being one of the utmost concerns in the minds of students, Sustainability or Global Citizenship continues to be seen as beyond curriculum. Some educators might see this as a daunting task: 

‍

How might curriculum integration of the SDGs become more engaging, relevant and accessible, so that students across the school - not just those fortunate enough to go on a trip - are able to discover the world outside their regular ‘bubbles’?  

‍

The MAD team, alongside Michael Guinness and other educators at BSM, have therefore been working in tandem to integrate service and sustainability seamlessly into the curriculum across all grade levels. In particular, stories are a great way to engage students. With this in mind, MAD leverages the immersive power of interactive video adventures, bringing fun and engaging experiences that cultivate skills and insights vital for global citizenship. This way, every student in the school, regardless of which trip they go (or whether they go at all) is able to explore global issues through the unique lens of local communities.   

‍

‍

3. Community Trips/Adventures: 

“The expertise of the (MAD) team works well alongside our understanding of our own context to develop learning journeys that work right for us both inside the classroom and out in the field (and often in combination)” Michael Guinness, Whole School Global Citizenship Coordinator at BSM.  

‍

Service trips remain a fundamental pillar in most schools’ Service and Sustainability missions, and with good reason: they provide students with an opportunity to connect deeply with surrounding communities, embrace nature, foster teamwork, enhance self-confidence.

‍

And yet, how do we ensure that students are engaged and equipped with the right tools to make the most of their experience? Again, this is where online tools can bolster real-life experiences. From this coming year, students will be given access to MAD’s ChangeMaker Launchpad, a self-guided online journey which will enable students to better analyse, understand and tackle the issues they will experience while travelling.

‍

There is still much room for growth, but our partnership so far exemplifies the magic that happens when shared-values meet innovative education. Our shared vision of nurturing well-rounded, empathetic, and proactive global citizens is at the forefront of this partnership. 

‍

Of course, there are many other ways to engage students to become empowered changemakers, and we’d love to hear what you will be working on this year. Also, If you’d like to collaborate with us on Service & Sustainability and set up a holistic culture of global citizenship get in touch with Sophie, our head of school partnerships. You can reach her at suji@madcourses.com

‍

In a world where experiences often define us, travel has consistently held a place of prominence. It's the captivating landscapes, the inspiring encounters with locals, and the chance to make a difference that makes travel a transformative endeavour. However, the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic abruptly reshaped the way we connect and experience the world. As a travel company based in the Philippines, we found ourselves facing a challenge: how could we sustain the essence of travel, the very thing that brings people together, without the ability to physically journey?

At the heart of our mission lies the desire to recreate the profound encounters one might have while exploring far-flung destinations, but with a technological twist. Our response to the pandemic-induced travel restrictions has been to harness the power of interactive video technology. This innovation allows participants to curate their virtual journey, offering the freedom to choose destinations, interact with individuals, and pose thought-provoking questions - all from the comfort of their own screens.

We recently ran a program for Canva, a creative technology company, which showcased the transformative potential of this approach. Canva's employees embarked on a virtual adventure to the coastal community of Lobo, located south of Manila. The excitement of this digital journey was met with enthusiasm by employees at Canva, illustrating that the allure of travel - and the opportunity to make a difference - can still be captured even when physical travel is off the table. 

We asked Camille Armas, Social Impact Program Manager for Canva Foundation - Philippines for her thoughts.

‍“During our recent volunteering week at Canva Philippines, we were really pleased with MAD Courses’ Lobo Interactive Tour experience at it was a unique, fun, and new way for our employees to interact and learn about different issues that affect the Lobo community while also contributing to the community in a small way.” 

‍

Camille added that particular highlights of the experience were the ‘story flow, narrative, and the overall quality of the interactive adventure’: “We’re excited for the potential future local stories that can be shared to a broader audience in a similar way.”

Indeed, this experience highlighted a new era of possibilities. Imagine hundreds of employees from various corporations across the Philippines accessing immersive, 'transformative' learning experiences through virtual travel. The boundaries of traditional travel melt away as technology steps in to provide a carbon-neutral, cost-effective, and accessible alternative. Not only could employees partake in these experiences, but students too could venture into the world, gaining insights into global challenges, especially those concerning sustainability.

While nothing can replace the authenticity of in-person interactions, this blend of technology and wanderlust opens doors to deeper appreciation and empathy for the diverse world we inhabit. It's about fostering a connection with our planet and its inhabitants, regardless of physical presence. As we strive to minimize our carbon footprint and reduce the strain on our environment, interactive video technology emerges as a valuable tool in expanding horizons.

The virtual journey isn't simply about virtually 'going' places. It's about uncovering shared stories, witnessing pressing challenges, and recognizing the interconnectedness of our world. It's about cultivating an understanding that transcends borders, promoting empathy for fellow citizens and fostering a sense of global community. This journey through screens has the power to plant seeds of change, sparking a newfound commitment to sustainable practices and positive action.

In conclusion, the allure of travel isn't solely confined to physical exploration. Through the convergence of technology and wanderlust, we can embark on transformative journeys that transcend limitations, foster connections, and nurture empathy. While physical travel will always hold its special place, the evolution of interactive video technology presents an exciting pathway to broadening our appreciation for the world we share: not just for corporations, but for students around the world who - regardless of their background -  might now have the opportunity to explore important global issues through the lens of local communities.  

If you want to get a virtual trip for your classroom or colleagues, check the trailer to our latest adventure in Lobo here and reach out to suji@madcourses.com

What if the transformational potential of a field trip could be made more accessible to everyone, and throughout the school year? At MAD Courses, we believe in the transformative power of interactive videos for education. Why? Because they enable us to recreate the same learning experience students might have when visiting a far flung community, but without the same hassle, expense or carbon footprint! As a result, interactive videos have emerged as a potent resource for classrooms, revolutionising the learning experience. How? 

• Increased Engagement: Interactive videos combine visual, auditory, and interactive elements, catering to diverse learning styles. This multimedia approach captures students' attention, encouraging active participation and enhancing retention.
• Enhanced Comprehension: Complex concepts become more manageable through interactive videos' bite-sized, visually appealing segments. Students can pause, rewind, and replay content at their own pace, fostering a deeper understanding.
• Personalised Learning: Choose where to go, who to speak to and what questions to ask! Customised learning paths with quizzes and exercises empower students to take charge of their learning, addressing individual strengths and weaknesses.
• ‍Real-world Context: Our interactive adventures take students beyond the classroom, bringing to life global issues (the SDGs) through a local lens. In so doing, they showcase real-world applications of academic concepts, building connections, and fostering empathy.

• ‍Feedback and Assessment: Embedded quizzes and exercises provide instant feedback, helping you as a teacher to identify gaps and adapting your strategies.
• Accessibility and Inclusivity: Anyone can ‘travel’ with us! With closed captions and assistive features, interactive videos ensure accessibility for all students, promoting inclusivity.
• Collaborative Learning Opportunities: Interactive videos facilitate group discussions, debate scenarios, and peer assessments, fostering teamwork and communication skills.
• And lastly, MAD Courses would like to highlight this key feature: the adventures are FUN!! 

We hope you visit madcourses.com to find out more about how you can take your students around the world, build connections and empathy, and foster a real sense of global citizenship now!