Sound Practice is an experiment the K12 Lab launched to respond to two needs we were seeing and hearing from our friends across the K-12 sector:

• Resources to help advance equity-centered design work even as covid-19 forces many of us to work remotely

• Ways to spend less time on screens in an era when much of our professional and personal lives have been forced into a digital realm

To this end, we have developed sound-based versions of anti-oppressive resources. We hope the form combats screen fatigue while engaging listeners in equity-centered practices. The idea was born out of an opportunity to bring the audio producer and series host, Michael Lipset’s background as an anti-oppressive educator in the recording arts together with the work of the d.school’s K12 Lab.

Sound Practice presents a series of activities–think of each one as an album–that can be experienced at a listener’s own pace by advancing through individual audio tracks. Together, this series of sound-based exercises is a discography, which we will continue to add to over the course of the summer.

Given the moment, we wanted to present tools that could be used in a way that continues the ongoing fight for collective liberation from oppressive, systemic forms of violence such as racism, wealth inequality, sexism, and transphobia. The COVID-19 pandemic, its accompanying economic fallout, and increased momentum in the Movement for Black Lives have only added urgency to our fight.

We recognize these tools are imperfect, as is the nature of anti-oppressive, liberatory work. Please use these tools in a way that works for you. We hope that they provide some form of support as you advocate for a more socially just and equitable system that serves all people in difference and with love. As you engage in Sound Practice, please feel free to drop us a line with your thoughts, feelings, feedback, or ideas.

This experiment was developed by Michael Lipset, Jessica Brown, Louie Montoya, and sam seidel. All audio production by Michael Lipset. Theme music by DJ Mickey Breeze.

Check out the Sound Practice albums below

Equity Self Care Embodied - This exercise supports you in connecting your mind, body, and spirit in the fight for a more just world. Take care of yourself folks, you are not alone in this fight.

Barriers and Challenges to Equity Work - This exercise supports you in identifying and overcoming perceived barriers and challenges to your equity work/practice.

The (In)equity Catcher - This tool offers questions to root you in the ongoing work of living a social justice-oriented lifestyle. Engage with these at random, sporadically or as you see fit.

Critical Lens Group Protocol - This exercise is a timed, guided protocol to provide you and your team with a clear structure for analyzing a product, workshop, lesson plan, or other piece of work through an equity-focused lens.

Designing Sound Practice Podcast - This playlist presents one podcast episode per Sound Practice exercise. These were made in conversation with the creators of this work and provide greater insight on the different offerings within Sound Practice.