There is lots of talk about how our schools must change to prepare students for the 21st Century. In fact, given the new technologies being developed everyday and the way in which young people embrace technology in their daily lives, it is obvious that our schools will change. So as leaders in our schools, where does that leave us? There is so much to change that it seems overwhelming. Where do we start?
Many of today’s veteran educators used project-based learning and a constructivist approach in the early 90’s if not before. Students were taught to construct their own meaning using cooperative learning and projects. Current brain research confirms the effectiveness of such approaches. Yet, in this decade, assessment became the guiding mantra, and students and teachers now focus their efforts toward higher test scores. Project-based learning and constructivism faded into the background as direct instruction and teaching to the test took center stage.
Today there is hope as project-based learning again gains momentum. One thing we can do is encourage this type of learning in the classrooms and beyond the school walls. The Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow 2 project has rechristened it challenge-based learning. Whatever the name, the goals are the same. Apples’ white paper, “Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow—Today,” is good reading for anyone who wants to share the future with others. The following quotation is from that paper.
These are profound changes that require schools to become more than information repositories; they must also be places where students can acquire knowledge and skills they can use to solve complex problems for the rest of their lives. These changes affect the role of educators even more dramatically. Educators must become more than information experts; they must also be collaborators in learning-leveraging the power of students, seeking new knowledge alongside students, and modeling positive habits of mind and new ways of thinking and learning.
As we grapple with our current economic woes, new technology purchases will likely be minimal. Yet there is important work we can do that will cost us nothing. We can share the goals for 21st century learning. We can share them with parents, other administrators, teachers, support staff, and students. The Partnership for 21st Century Skills Framework is widely accepted and provides guidance in every possible area.
The road ahead for schools will be a challenge, but there is always hope. Many new teachers will already know the technologies, but they need wisdom and guidance from us as leaders. We will need to help young teachers learn how to share their knowledge with students in ways that will embrace 21st Century Skills. We will also need to give them the freedom to help seasoned teachers reach new levels of teaching.
It is a small start, but it is a hopeful one. You aren’t alone and others have already laid out some guidelines. Share the information and point others to resources. Then watch as the new generation takes over in our schools, and know you helped lead the way.
As my iPad and I get more acquainted, I find myself analyzing its place in my instructional technology program. For example, one of the cornerstones of our program is a modified 1-to-1 netbook project with fourth grade. We utilize a toolbox that consists of a word processor, a presentation application, a spreadsheet, and the Internet. A typical activity will call for the students to brainstorm in their word processor, create a presentation, and work with some data. Often they do simple research or get their instructions from the Internet.