The Future of Education – 21st Century Learning – Redesigning our Schools
All of these are phrases being heard in the Ed Tech world…globally. The Xi Hu conference on 21st century learning in China, The Education Project in Bahrain, Global Learn Asia 2010’s Global Conference on Learning and Technology, Google’s Breakthrough Learning in a Digital Age…just a few of the conferences and forums being held around the world as we all rethink education, the use of technology for teaching and learning, global connections and collaborations, and 21st century skills.
What are the common themes being discussed at these conferences? And, once the discussions have taken place, presentations have been given, and connections have been made, what action plans are developed to inspire and assure the redesign and change that is needed in our schools today? Oh, and what will “schools” even look like in the future? Ahhh….so much to think about, so much to do, so little time!
Change at any time is difficult. In this case, the case of education, it is more than difficult. It is critical. We cannot continue to educate our students and prepare them fully for their future if we continue to utilize the methods that were implemented when we were in school. And, it is difficult to affect change when our accountability for a student’s success lies in state test scores.
So, the ideas and thoughts and dreams for the schools of the future are all there. Conferences are being held, committees are meeting, ideas are being shared, and partnerships are being formed. But, what is our action plan? How will we truly make change happen?
It starts today. It starts with each of us. And, our collaborative, collective actions can and will make a difference. But, as we all continue to meet and discuss and plan, let’s not forget the action part of this. Let’s leave our conferences and our meetings with firm plans for how to take the first steps of many that truly will make a difference. And, after those steps, we’ll take a few more…and a few more…and yet a few more. But, we will, indeed, succeed in leveraging technology to enhance teaching and learning and affect real change in our education system as long as we remember to keep our actions at the forefront.
