Manifesto The world is changing ever faster, typically under the influence of the digital revolution. From a very early age child come into contact wit hit. We are convinced that the invention of the iPad Marks a new fase in the interaction between child and the virtual World. Intuitively even very young children manage this device. By playing they acquire skills that are important for their future in the 21st century

1. Manifesto
The world is changing ever faster, typically under the influence of the digital revolution. From a
very early age child come into contact wit hit. We are convinced that the invention of the iPad
Marks a new fase in the interaction between child and the virtual World. Intuitively even very young
children manage this device. By playing they acquire skills that are important for their future in the
21st century.
For education this creates new challenges as well as new opportunities. The challenges lie in the
developments that take place outside and use them in the school, strengthening and complementing
them. Remaining relevant in preparing for this new era. The opportunities lie in shaping the school
much more to fit the individual talents and capabilities of the child, using the new Technologies, with
the same or less cost. At the same time taking care that the school, teachers, students and others
involved are better equipped for the further developments in the future.
In order to be able te meet these challenges and make the most of the opportunities, we wish to
start a new school. Together with teachers and parents with the same conviction we intend to
found schools on the basis of a new direction: “Onderwijs voor een nieuwe tijd” (Education for a
new time), o4nt.nl.
The four key elements of our approach are:
Every talent is recognized
The education starts from the talents of the individual
student and is organized to develop them to the utmost,
and to reinforce their development through co-operation.
Combining physical (school building)
and virtual (internet)
The school consists of a physical component ( the building)
and a virtual component. This school is open all year round.
The buil-ding, without classrooms, is open from 8:30 am
to 6:30 pm, 50 weeks a years, and the virtual component
is available at all times and everywhere. All students (even
the youngest) will have an iPad at their disposal. They can
connect to the virtual part of the school and use the huge
amount of educational apps. Learning can take place always
and everywhere. Learning is no loner synonymous with being
present in the physical building. Learning is synonymous witha
learning attitudewhich can be applied anywhere. Presence and
vacation involves an important individual component with due
consideration to the educational goals.
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2. 21st century skills
The education starts from the talents of the individual
student and is organized to develop them to the utmost,
and to reinforce their development through co-operation.
Community
Especially because a considerable part of learning takes
place outside the building, the role of parents is of great
importance. School and environment (parents, companies,
institutions and others)are connected via the community
and they enhance the quality of the education. Therefore,
parents are active partners in the educational process and
play an indispensable role in the organization, the execution
and the evaluation of the education. Experiences are widely
shared and the environmentis heartily invited to contribute
to the education.
We realize that various elements of our approach also take placein other types of schools. And also
that technology enters the schools more and more. However, we think that a significant part of our
innovations can only take place within a completely new school which is set up in a way that allows
rapid response to changes in the future. The exeriences of this new school can then – if desired- be
used by existing schools in their processes of change.
We call parents of children between 2 and 6 years of age to indicate if the would consider enrolling
their child if such a school is established in their neighbourhood.
We also invite teachers and other professionals who wish to be involved in the foundation and
launch of this school to contact us. In our extensive document the background and organization is
further developed. You can register in o4nt.nl on our website.
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3. Initiators
Irene Felix
Elementary school teacher, specialized and experienced in the young child. Besides, experienced
as a mother of three and grandmother of four. Her grandson of five corrects her if she doesn’t work
fast enough on her iPad.
Drs. Erik Verhulp
Social Geographer, Social Science teacher (1977-2000), manager and founder of Digischool –
www.digischool.nl (1955-present)
Luc de Vries
Educationalist, Director in elementary education, Member Denver Group and co-author of the
recommendation to the Council for Primary Education “in 10 jaar naar de top”. Father of a.o. Florian,
14 and grown up with technology.
Drs. Maurice de Hond
Social Geographer, pollster, author of “Dankzij de snelheid van het licht”(1995), father of a.o.
Daphne of nearly three, who has been actively using the iPhone/iPad since she was one.