21st Century Models for Learning

New Models for Learning in Our Schools

 

The Next Generation Science Standards require new thinking with respect to how we deliver learning opportunities to our students.  It is critical that at its core it is the pursuit of the development of problem solving abilities for all students is now our educational focus.

Recent federal legislative effort on the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) is lending support to this new thinking strategy.  Congressional sponsorship of the legislation reflects this need.

"Today's students will need more than the basics to succeed in tomorrow's workforce" agreed Rep. Loebsack (D-IA), "We need to provide them with an education that will make them competitive in 21st century careers, which means they need skills like creative problem-solving, the ability to communicate well, and to collaborate in diverse teams. This bill makes these skills an explicit aim of federal education policy, which allows states like Iowa to continue with and expand on their leadership in 21st century education."

Our school district with its curriculum writing initiatives and forward thinking educators can lead on this issue.  The students that we serve need our help to develop these 21^st century skills and abilities.  Project-based learning can facilitate this transition into a new model for educating our students.  As stakeholders in this effort we need to unite and become innovators in our classrooms bringing forth new models for learning.  Let’s get started!