The allLearners Building Blocks Toolkit

A Practical Guide to Motivation-Driven Education

"How does it all work? How can we apply what you've learned in our own schools to increase the motivation of our students?"

After years of work at schools like Agora, these are the questions I am asked constantly.

They challenged me to answer a deeper question:
"How do you capture a complex, human-centered philosophy on a single page, one that is so clear everyone understands it, and so inspiring it helps them shape their future?"

The answer became the 'allLearners Building Blocks' overview.

It wasn't designed in a boardroom. This toolkit was forged in the reality of inspiring schools I've worked with around the world. It is validated by minds at Harvard's Project Zero, built upon the foundational work of Deci & Ryan (Self-Determination Theory) and Vygotsky, and inspired by Simon Sinek's Golden Circle theory. In practice, it provides a shared language for a new kind of education—one that starts with the learner.

If you're reading this, you're probably like me: on a mission to reimagine education. I know that this journey can feel lonely, that many of us feel like we're standing alone when it comes to innovation.

I didn't create this toolkit just for myself. I created it for you. It's an anchor for educators to hold on to, something to help you make steady progress—whether that's in your own teaching practice, as part of a team, or as a school leader.

That’s why, below, I'm lifting a corner of the veil. And it's why, at the bottom of this page, I offer you a chance to receive even more insights for free.

— Rob Houben

The Overview: More Than a Map

This philosophy is captured in our 'allLearners Building Blocks' overview. But this visual map is just the top layer of the toolkit.

Behind every single Building Block lies a deep well of resources: from foundational scientific research to inspiring summaries, practical insights, ready-to-use presentations, and concrete 'Indicators of Successful Engagement' to make success visible. Everything is designed to empower the teachers, leaders, and staff we work with on their journey.

The Three Pillars

The structure of the overview is intentional, built on three core pillars: The Experience, The Facilitators, and The Requirements.

Let's explore them one by one.

The Experience

- The Learner's World -

This is our starting point and our ultimate goal. Instead of asking what students need to learn, we ask: What do we want them to experience on their journey?

This pillar is a partnership:

'all learners...': This column describes the natural, internal journey of self-development every person is on from birth. It’s the learner's journey. It's their process. We don't own it, we only influence it.
'Amplifiers': These are the intentional actions we take to Influence the Circumstances. We use these tools to accelerate the learner's journey at just the right moment.

The Facilitators

- The Professional & Cultural World -

This section defines the culture for everyone. It’s the mindset we, as professionals, model and want to see reflected in our students, because they too are facilitators of each other's learning. It’s a dual focus:

'We Ensure Quality': This is our professional practice—the "behind-the-scenes" work of planning, designing, and collaborating to create the conditions for great learning.
'We are...': This describes the human qualities we model for the entire community. Qualities like 'Caring', 'Courageous', and 'Joyful' are not just for us; they are for everyone.

The Requirements

- The Foundational World -

This anchors our work. What are the core values and external obligations that guide our practice and give it legitimacy?

'Our Foundations': These are our non-negotiable beliefs—the core 'Artefacts' like our 'Learning Environment' and 'Mutual Expectations' that we build our culture upon. This is your school’s unique DNA.
'As part of the System': This acknowledges reality. We don't exist in a vacuum. It outlines our responsibilities to the educational system, laws, and finances that we must align with. It’s the interplay between our core vision and our public accountability.

The Toolkit we use with Innovators Worldwide

This isn't just a theoretical model. This is the overview of the exact toolkit I use in my work with schools like Green School South Africa, Real World School in Costa Rica, and the award-winning torphichen & Westfield Primaries in Scotland.

It's the same toolkit that I train people to fully understand and apply during our Reimagine Education Coaching Program. It provides a shared language that turns the chaos of innovation into a clear, actionable journey.

Ready to Build Your Learning Culture?

Choose the path that fits your journey:

1. Get a Deeper Insight (Free Email Series)
Curious, but not ready for a big step? Sign up for our free 12-week email series. Every week, we'll dive deep into one of the 12 core Building Blocks, bringing the toolkit to life with stories and practical tips.

[Knop: Sign Up for the Free Email Series]

2. Truly Master the Toolkit (Coaching Program)
Do you want to learn how to really apply these Building Blocks in your daily practice? If you want to know everything there is to know, then our Reimagine Education Coaching Program is for you.

3. Start the Journey with Your Organization (Book a Call)
Ready to get started with your entire organization, or do you have specific questions that remain unanswered? A no-obligation discovery call is the best way to find out how we can work together.