Any1 is a podcast with an interactive visual story where stories from WWII come together from different perspectives. The stories originate from various war cemeteries, our heritage. With perspectives from American, German, and Soviet soldiers, young people discover that every soldier balances between hero, perpetrator, and victim. The lesson package is free for schools and consists of a manual, a presentation file, and the Any1 dashboard for the classroom. It focuses on multiperspectivity, historical awareness, and awareness of cultural heritage, addressing themes that concern young people today, such as making choices in difficult circumstances. The lesson package encourages young people to think critically and engage in discussions with each other.
"I still remember that my stepfather called all Germans 'moffen' and Americans 'heroes' after the war. In my youth, everything was black and white. As a war becomes more distant, personal and diverse stories from that time emerge. Any1 offers this diversity. That is possible after 80 years. Especially in these turbulent times, I find nuances important for my students."
How Partners and Funds Bring the Any1 Lesson Package to Life
Any1 is a free, non-commercial project made possible by the support of multiple funds. For the content and production realization, Stichting Laudio collaborated with LKCA, the War Graves Foundation, various museums, and military cemeteries in the Netherlands. These partners acted as a sounding board, provided valuable archival material, and supported with research and PR. Thanks to their rich archives, a colorful life story was created, with contributions from playwrights and voice actors. Educational agency Komvoor and application developer Codemijn also contributed to the realization of the teaching materials and the dashboard. To emphasize the equal collaboration, all PR expressions were designed in the project's house style and shared by all involved parties.
Iterative Work
During the development process, concepts were tested multiple times by young people and pilot schools. These test phases allowed teachers and students to provide direct input, leading to concrete improvements. For example, a presentation file for the digital board was deemed desirable to support teachers in the lesson program, which was added alongside the manual and the dashboard. Any1 was launched in March 2023 and continues to evolve thanks to feedback from teachers and students. This allowed for expansions, such as new podcasts and teaching materials for various educational levels.
Tips for Providers of Cultural Education
Test your idea and materials with your target audience, especially during the creation process.
Know what story you want to tell and with what purpose: content comes before form.
Believe in the power (and importance) of collaboration and culture.
Collaborating with multiple disciplines and fields is exciting but also educational for your own growth. It enriches the final result.
Over 70 secondary schools in the Netherlands work with Any1. This innovative lesson package offers stories where young people themselves speak, making them highly relatable: stories that reveal how precious our freedom is.
More articles per topic
