This methodology adapts the agile design cycle for learning environments. It uses audio, video and generative AI to capture and structure the learner’s experience. The aim is to create a narrative-based process that is accessible, playful and supportive of diverse learners.
# Rationale Learners carry only a mobile phone and earbuds. They capture short reflections, conversations, and stories. Generative AI transcribes these into structured documents. Weekly gatherings allow learners to share highlights, reflect together, and build collective understanding.
# Structure The Learning Cycle is mapped against agile phases:
- **Discovery** → individual voice notes (beats) capture observations and reflections - **Design** → pair walks (scenes) explore perspectives and generate ideas - **Build** → episodes combine beats and scenes into structured stories - **Test** → group gatherings perform, share and review episode highlights - **Reflect** → retrospectives or design reflections at the end of each season compile lessons into a shared archive.
# Reframing
While we are influenced by a number of methodologies, we name them and interpret them in a new context, emphasizing the language and practice of creative writing, writers’ rooms, and theatre workshops.
This reframing is particularly important for the Hitchhikers Project, as it helps make the overall experience playful and engaging, especially when addressing controversial, difficult, or complex areas.
To this end, we are designing and testing a number of workshop formats, building on previous work but, for the first time, integrating creative media practice and generative AI into the learning mix.
# Next Steps A pilot program should begin with the **Beat → Scene → Episode** cycle. This minimal structure introduces learners to the methodology without overwhelming them. The use of narrative language can be made explicit to participants or kept as an internal scaffold for Guides.
# See - Pilot Program