EduMod

The gaelic word mòd means ‘assembly’ and is synonymous with the annual festival of traditional Scottish culture, music, language and art. EduMod is the educational equivalent. Set in the heart of the Edinburgh Festival, it brings together everyone who has an interest in learning. Scotland has long had an outstanding reputation for education and Edinburgh was at the heart of the European Enlightenment of the 18th century. Open discussion, free thinking and radical new ideas were commonplace on the streets of the Old Town. EduMod aims to bring back that spirit in the 21st century. The programme is eclectic and brings together a diverse range of speakers. Major issues with global significance are thrown open. What impact will Artificial Intelligence have on learning in the future? Are 21st century skills a myth or reality? What debt does Scotland owe to the transatlantic slave trade? Why is Generation Z facing a mental health crisis? What do young people want for their future? How can you be a good parent in the age of social media? What does #MeToo mean for the women in education? How do comedians learn to be funny? To what extent should schools be drivers of social change? These themes have universal significance. It is not restricted to those who work in formal educational settings, but is open to anyone who has an interest in the future of learning. Set in PQA venues at Riddle’s Court on the Royal Mile, the twelve sessions of EduMod will create a safe space for open discussion. Sensitive issues will be tackled. Orthodoxy will be challenged. New initiatives will be launched. Philosophy, policy, and practice will be tested. This is the first time that the Edinburgh Fringe has included an education festival, and it promises to be huge. Open your minds. Bring your thinking caps. Be prepared to laugh, cry and change your outlook on life. We’ll see you there.