The Role of Waldorf Education in Navigating the 21st Century
February 2024, Bay Area Center for Waldorf Teacher Training
Related to Education, Soul Health
Type: Video | Posted Feb 25, 2025
$40.00
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Viewing Time: 6h 17min – 5 videos
The traditional values of Waldorf education were deeply challenged during the pandemic when teachers, students, and parents moved into online modes of teaching. It was an unprecedented emergency that required compromise in the interest of staying connected with our students and families. In the process, a door that Waldorf education had tried to firmly regulate for decades was thrown open and now many Waldorf teachers and schools feel uncertain about where to place themselves in the relentless rollout of digital technology.
Is this the new norm? What is developmentally appropriate? What new work needs to be done and what can we say to our students and their parents to build a common understanding of how to live with technology? Moving forward, how do we find a contemporary and healthy relationship to being the “doorkeepers” of technology’s effects on children? We need to be both better informed and more proactive in rediscovering appropriate new thresholds that are true to the underlying intentions of Waldorf education and also true to the realities of our time.
Waldorf graduate and teacher Ben Klocek will lead us in re-finding our feet, walking our talk, and sharing an inspiring vision for a healthy relationship to technology as we navigate these developments of our time.
Day 1 – Developmental Picture
Join Ken Smith, director of the Bay Area Center for Waldorf Teacher Training, and special guest Ben Klocek as they explore the relationship between technology and Waldorf education. Through personal anecdotes and philosophical musings, Ken reflects on the evolution of technology use over the past 30 years, while Ben offers insights into harmonizing modern tech with Waldorf principles.
Ben shares about the need for Waldorf education to address technology’s rapid advancements and its impact on child development. He offers techniques for integrating spiritual perceptions and alchemical language into teaching practices to support the holistic growth of students. This lecture spans the development stages of children and highlights the importance of focused attention as a tool for educational and personal growth.
Day 1 – Afternoon – Reflections on the Arts
In this session, Ben discusses the importance of balancing the digital and physical worlds, particularly in the context of education. He explores the impact of virtual reality on our consciousness compared to the warmth of physical experience and describes how the workshops are aimed at helping individuals reintegrate with their bodies through activities like sculpture and movement. The presentation highlights the challenges posed by emerging technologies and provides practical tools and exercises for educators and individuals to foster a healthy balance, enhance self-care, and build spiritual and emotional resilience in today’s fast-paced digital age.
Day 2 – Engaging with the World – EMFs and Learning
In this session, we delve into the changing landscapes of Waldorf education following the pandemic. The day begins with an introduction discussing the outer and inner shifts experienced due to advancements in technology and the impact of the pandemic on teaching methods. Topics covered include the influence of electromagnetic fields and digital technologies on human physiology, child development, and the challenge of maintaining community and engagement in a more digitally connected world. Specific attention is given to how technical advancements like WiFi and cell phones affect students’ learning environments and their physical well-being. The session also explores the ways Waldorf education can adapt to these changes while preserving its core principles and fostering a holistic learning experience.
Day 2 – Afternoon – EMF Countermeasures for Resilience
This afternoon interactive session delves into the experiences and research surrounding Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity (EHS). Ben shares personal anecdotes, classroom experiments, and scientific insights. Participants engage in hands-on activities to understand the impact of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and discuss practical ways to protect against EMF exposure. Additional topics include the importance of sleep, movement, art, and spiritual practices in creating a well-rounded, resilient lifestyle.
Day 3 – In Practice – Personal and Parental Practices
In this final session, we dive deep into the challenges and opportunities that technology presents to Waldorf education. Ken shares a personal story about a visit to his son’s college and a conversation highlighting the relentless advance of 3D digital realms. We explore the shift from resisting technology to embracing it thoughtfully and responsibly within the Waldorf framework. Key topics include the transition to online teaching, the role of Waldorf education in this digital era, and practical strategies for integrating technology in a way that supports the developmental needs of children. We also discuss the importance of maintaining flexibility in thinking, connecting with spiritual realities, and building healthy habits around technology use for both educators and families. Join us as we explore how Waldorf education can evolve to meet modern challenges while staying true to its fundamental principles.
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Ben Klocek, web designer, teacher, and Sacramento Waldorf School alumni, has worked in tech for over 20 years. He has been studying and lecturing on how our use of screen technology affects our lives, and promoting the work of his father Dennis Klocek through Soil, Soul and Spirit (this website). He is the father of two, ages 13 and 16, and is an avid naturalist, artist, and gardener.
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