During the COVID-19 pandemic, the K12 Lab launched an experiment to create sound-based versions of anti-oppressive design activities and resources.
The goal of these resources is to battle screen fatigue while engaging listeners in equity-centered work. Sound Practice presents a series of activities that can be experienced at a listener’s own pace by advancing through individual audio tracks (to view the collection of Sound Practice activities, click here).
Here's how we designed the Sound Practice Podcast
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 forced educators to work remotely
Ways to spend less time on screens in an era when much of our professional and personal lives were forced into a digital realm
To this end, we developed sound-based versions of anti-oppressive design activities and resources we had created in the K12 Lab. Our hope was that 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 can be engaged as a whole or an album at a time.
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 with love. As you engage in Sound Practice, please feel free to drop us a line with your thoughts, feelings, feedback, or ideas.
Check out the Sound Practice albums below
Designing Sound Practice Podcast - This playlist presents one podcast episode per Sound Practice exercise. These were made in conversation with the creators of each activity or tool and provide greater insight on the different offerings within Sound Practice.
dschool music · Designing Sound Practice Podcast
Equity Self Care Embodied - This activity 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.
dschool music · Equity Self Care Embodied Exercise
Barriers and Challenges to Equity Work - This activity supports you in identifying and overcoming perceived barriers and challenges to your equity work/practice.
dschool music · Barriers & Challenges to Equity Work Exercise
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.
dschool music · The (In)equity Catcher
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.
dschool music · Critical Lens Protocol for Groups
Credits
Michael Lipset, Jessica Brown, Louie Montoya, and sam seidel. Theme music by DJ Mickey Breeze.