A little about barter of knowledge

This idea started in New York in 2010. The ‘class’ runs on barter. “Anyone can teach and pupils sign up by agreeing to meet the barter requests of teachers”.

Named Trade School, the concept has gone global. It came to S’pore last year, brought by three young, energetic ladies. They ran the first round of activities last year, and this year, they plan to run the second round.

We, the silver generation, can adapt the ideas from the Trade Schools around the world. The silver generation is a large resource pool for skills and knowledge and is well-placed, in my opinion, to contribute to the nurturing of an ethos of generosity and trust in our community.

The challenge is how to adapt. Hmmm…Any ideas from the SHC community? :)

Author: Jassmine Teo

I came to know about the SHC from eNN (Seng Kang). My interests are varied. I write on the forum regularly to improve my writing. In my autumn years, my priority is voluntary service. Hope to meet like-minded people and help initiate a programme/project for the disabled like the hearing impaired.

4 thoughts on “A little about barter of knowledge”

  2. Hi Edwin
    So glad you’re interested. Can keep the details simple. Pilot first activity and see how.
    I googled for barter classes already conducted to get ideas for adaptation. Here are three interesting ones, esp their barter requests, I’d like to share with all:
    1. Tribal style belly dance
    Barter requests:
    1. delicious snacks 2. a surprise 3. fabric pieces 4. pens or pencils 5. conversation

    2. Beginner’s guide to opening a coffee shop
    Barter requests:
    1. a box of dog treat 2. raw chocolate bars 3. donate a comfortable amount of money to a charity of your choice 4. an empty journal 5. organic bananas.

    3. Longboard Skateboarding
    Barter requests:
    1. Arizona iced tea 2. coke 3. any organic food.

    Looking at the barter requests – they can be easily met by interested learners.

  3. Barter Request #2 is doable providing beginner’s guide to opening a coffee shop, at least the planning phase.

    The consideration will be a stretch but still manageable with sincerity and compromise.

    Let us do the proof of concept first. Your move :-)))

  4. Hi Edwin
    If I were to attend the beginner’s guide … class, it’ll be more out of curiosity to know how, not necessarily to open a coffee shop.With the awareness gained I may end up doing something else.

    A hypothetical scenario:
    T wants to hold a class of one hour, teaching two/three basic guitar chords and applying them to a song or two, and if his barter requests are fruits, snacks…a basic keyboard lesson…etc. I’ll sign up with a big pkt of belinjo crackers even if I don’t have a guitar.

    Ideas can be kept simple and fun. Hope someone starts something … :)

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