Learner Directed Experiences (LDEs)
At Unlimited students are encouraged to spend part of their week dedicated to pursuing their passions and interests - in reality we hope that all of the week is spent pursuing learning they are passionate about - whether that's in a course or working individually or in small groups.
One of the central parts of Unlimited’s special character is that students may work on learning which is of particular interest to them.
Here are some examples of the types of learner directed experiences (LDEs), individual inquiries and projects that have been completed in the past six years.
Learner Directed Experiences, Projects, Inquiries and Other Stuff
| • creation of a radio station - Metropolis | • Movie making; documentary production | |
| • Hydroponic Mushroom Business | • 3D animation projects | |
| • clay-mation | • photography | |
| • arcade game construction | • t-shirt manufacturing | |
| • a written history on Tamariki School | • Wild Cats at Orana Park | |
| • computer game construction - the Red E Bear group | • The writing, design and publication of a cookbook for teenagers | |
| • The Cold War | • Learning Russian | |
| • Music Composition | • The Rotary Engine | |
| • Discovering Pointillism | • The Battle of Stalingrad | |
| • web-site construction | • Designing an Eco-friendly house | |
| • Death Metal Mask Making | • Novel writing | |
| • Ancient & Modern Egypt; how does the past affect the present? | • design and creation of promotional package for Christchurch Citizens Advice Bureau | |
| • book publication | • sculpture • dungeons and dragons | |
| • mental health support group | • office concepts business | |
| • Out of Kilter recording company | • music videos | |
| • Go-kart construction | • Rock-Quest | |
| • small business ventures | • equine care | |
| • digital animation & 3D modeling | • web-site design | |
| • Architectural design with CAD | • organising a rock concert | |
| • toy library | • Flash development | |
| • guitar chord flash tool | • Jet engine design & research | |
| • song-writing and recording | • acting in short film | |
| • building an FX pedal for your electric guitar | • planning overseas trip | |
| • The Iceman: Research inquiry on a mass murderer in the US. | •. Pirates of the Caribbean: Project to find out what life was really like for a pirate | |
| • Creation of a print-counter for School IT | • Ski-bike construction | |
| • Jack Nicholson: A biographic inquiry on the life of Jack Nicholson. Research presented as a large “film strip” | • Stargate website: Design of website containing episode information and background on the Stargate television series | |
| • Historical inquiry on Knight’s Templar | • restoring a motorbike | |
| • organisation of Dance Party event | • A Collection of Thoughts, Essays & Musings | |
| • music theory exams | • Entry in the Young Designers' Awards | |
| • Bronze Duke of Edinburgh | • Organising and running a small camp | |
| • Organising and running an Inspire course | • Personal fitness | |
| • University study | • Work exploration | |
...this is a small selection! It is worth starting school with an idea for something you would like to take on as an LDE or project.
There are always a number of classes and support groups running through the year to help you to complete LDEs.
Most students start by attending these courses, and then when they have shown they are able to work with less supervision, they can run their LDEs by checking with their LAs at 1:1 weekly meetings and IEPs.