Educators, curriculum designers, and social entrepreneurs
Designing a new alternative education program or university model
Use cases
About
This mind map template compares two approaches to higher education: the traditional, neo-liberal academy and the alternative Gaia University model. It contains 84 nodes across one sheet, detailing essential characteristics of both systems, influential thinkers, and founders. The template contrasts the 'mainstream, industrial, neo-liberal paradigm' with a 'leading edge, agro-forestry/permaculture paradigm Praxis' focused on ecological and social regeneration. Key nodes include 'actively democratic & community directed' and 'is heavily penetrated by neo-liberal corporations'. This Two approaches to Higher Education mind map serves as a cheat sheet for educators, activists, and students exploring transformative education models.
Terms and ConditionsWhen to use this template
Researchers, students, and policy analysts
Critiquing existing higher education structures in a thesis or policy paper
Activists, community organizers, and facilitators
Facilitating a workshop on educational reform and decolonization
How to use this template
Step 1
Launch and Explore the Comparison
Open the template in Xmind to navigate the contrasting branches of traditional neo-liberal academies and the Gaia University model.
Step 2
Customize Nodes and Thinker Lists
Edit existing node content or add new sub-topics under the influential thinkers section to tailor the educational paradigms to your research.
Step 3
Export and Share Your Findings
Save your customized mind map as a PDF or image to share these transformative education models with other educators and activists.
Frequently asked questions
The template includes 84 nodes comparing traditional neo-liberal universities with Gaia University, covering essential characteristics, influential thinkers, and founders.
Open the .xmind file in Xmind, then explore the two main branches side by side. Customize node text to add your own observations or examples.
Yes, the template is free to download and fully editable in Xmind. You can add, remove, or modify nodes to suit your needs.
The 'chaordic' design combines chaos and order, requiring modest investment with low cost entry, open source flexibility, and a flat structure to maintain participation.
The template lists Alejandra Adler, involved with Caravana Arcoiris por la Paz and Global Ecovillage Network, and Andrew Langford, founder of Permaculture Academy of Britain.
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