thinkin the company
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Get to know me!My name is Aviva Fudem. I am a theory-builder and curator of purposeful materials. I hold a masters degree in Child Study and Education, and degrees in Political Science and Economics.
As the company's Idea Architect, I specialize in seriously creative learning opportunities that are customizable, scalable and totally portable. I am an Ontario Certified Teacher working freelance to bring community-building experiences and innovative ideas to learners of all ages, inside and outside of the classroom. |
What I do
I produce pop-ups, thinkshops, Exhibits, LabSchools, Knowledge Swaps, and all kinds of exciting collaborative programming I haven’t even dreamed up yet. I sell loose parts and curated collections of re-usable materials that inspire playful, self-directed learning. And I work with schools and organizations to energize and infuse communities with revolutionary thinking.
I specialize in flipping things around and looking closely at multiple sides of an issue. That's what makes it possible for me to rethink how we educate and raise our children, how we interact with one another, and how we build purposeful communities. ThinkinEd learning opportunities are designed for anyone who is on – or ready to begin – the journey towards authentic, engaged, and meaningful learning.
I welcome and encourage a wide variety of perspectives, theories, and approaches. ThinkinEd is a collaborative work in progress – continuously evolving to reflect new knowledge and experience. I mine the world for inspired thinkers and purposeful materials; keeping an eye out for patterns and connections that guide my theory-building and help me design revolutionary invitations to learn and play. I custom-design each learning opportunity with intention – embedding autonomy, engagement, and connection into everything I create. When one of these is missing, I go back to the drawing board to reconfigure my thinking. Whether I hit the mark or not, I openly share my ideas. Once I release an idea into the world, it’s yours to use, share, remix, transform, and innovate! #ideasgrow
I specialize in flipping things around and looking closely at multiple sides of an issue. That's what makes it possible for me to rethink how we educate and raise our children, how we interact with one another, and how we build purposeful communities. ThinkinEd learning opportunities are designed for anyone who is on – or ready to begin – the journey towards authentic, engaged, and meaningful learning.
I welcome and encourage a wide variety of perspectives, theories, and approaches. ThinkinEd is a collaborative work in progress – continuously evolving to reflect new knowledge and experience. I mine the world for inspired thinkers and purposeful materials; keeping an eye out for patterns and connections that guide my theory-building and help me design revolutionary invitations to learn and play. I custom-design each learning opportunity with intention – embedding autonomy, engagement, and connection into everything I create. When one of these is missing, I go back to the drawing board to reconfigure my thinking. Whether I hit the mark or not, I openly share my ideas. Once I release an idea into the world, it’s yours to use, share, remix, transform, and innovate! #ideasgrow
Why I do it
Our online culture has completely redefined what it means to be connected. Even though we can explore the world farther and faster than ever before, the joy of actively engaging all of our senses is getting lost in the experience. I did a bunch of research in various fields from education, parenting, and mental health, to business, marketing and design – and discovered that internal motivation, human kindness, and collective awareness are the essential pieces that bring individuals, families, and communities together.
My research also helped me recognize that the current structures in which we learn and interact often breed anxiety and struggles for ownership. Somewhere along the way, creativity, wonder and purpose have been overshadowed by the drive towards standardized thinking. I believe it's time to think differently about everything – not just education. That means thinking critically about what we own and consume, the things children are capable of, and how we choose to connect. It means rethinking the very concept of creativity and how we learn.
My research also helped me recognize that the current structures in which we learn and interact often breed anxiety and struggles for ownership. Somewhere along the way, creativity, wonder and purpose have been overshadowed by the drive towards standardized thinking. I believe it's time to think differently about everything – not just education. That means thinking critically about what we own and consume, the things children are capable of, and how we choose to connect. It means rethinking the very concept of creativity and how we learn.
Where I do it
I pop-up at community centres, festivals, classrooms, outdoor spaces, conferences, vendor markets, libraries, art fairs, backyards, and more. I love to pop up in spaces that reflect the feeling of “living room” culture – not the kind where you can't touch the furniture but the kind that makes you feel warm and cozy inside. I love the challenge of transforming an environment – turning a blank canvas into a temporary, vibrant learning space, and reducing visual clutter to create space for learning.
