Context Context is the environment in which we learn. In educational terms, it is helpful to view context as Systems Thinking, Ecoliteracy and Interdisciplinarity. Schools cannot and should not be separated from the context of local community during both the program ming and the design process. Systems thinking means seeing the world in terms of connections, relationships, and interdependencies. For educators this means moving from linear to non-linear thinking, from what to learn to how to learn, and from analyzing parts to synthesizing wholes.
Systems thinking is integrated thinking across disciplines.
Ecological thinking is also systems oriented. We are physical beings who live in physical space, and, as such, we should be attuned to the rhythms of life on earth, or ecoliterate. Ecoliteracy means understanding the role of humans on this earth as a part of, not apart from, earth systems, and creating spaces that reflect an awareness of, and respect for, our surroundings Interdisciplinary and theme-based education derive their structure from both systems thinking and Ecoliteracy. Finally, an essential element of context is community. School Zone actively seeks community involvement and collaboration before new structures are built or old ones are renovated.