Fractal Learning: A Minimum Viable Instruction Approach to Democratizing and Accelerating Education

Abstract

In an era of radical and accelerating change, traditional discipline-specific curricula and institutions are increasingly ill-suited to address the life goals of diverse learners. We suggest that equally radical approaches need to be taken in redesigning education. This paper describes a proof-of-concept workshop—termed “Fractal Learning”—that embodies a minimum viable instruction (MVI) approach. Fractal learning replaces rigid curricula with a flexible, repeatable, goal-oriented framework, leveraging technology, cloud-based resources, and metacognitive scaffolding to accelerate learning and problem-solving skills. The design elements, workshop framework, and iterative cycle are intended to be a provocative suggestion for a more democratized and personalized educational paradigm.