Open education is both a philosophy and a state of mind.
Its respect for the uniqueness of each child serves as a foundation and guides the teaching and learning process. Rather than place an emphasis on what to teach, open education emphasizes how children learn. Teachers help children construct their own understanding of the world that surrounds them. Basic skills are stressed, used as tools for learning rather than as an end in themselves. Academic subjects are woven around real life experiences and emphasize the interconnected nature of all learning and knowledge.