Thinking about Leadership

“The 21st Century skills are essentially an updated version of the belief that education can actually make a big difference to the quality of life that our children will have, some from increased capacity but much coming from social contribution, near and far.”

     -     author unknown

I recently had the opportunity to participate in a series of dialogues providing feedback to the Ministry of Education on future graduation requirements. Participants included students, educators, parents and community partners. The orientation was to build on the strengths of our system and expand on the key elements of the BC Education Plan in providing our input.  The key elements of the plan include:

1. Personalized learning for every student
2. Quality teaching and learning
3. Flexibility and choice
4. High standards
5. Learning empowered by technology  

From my perspective it was interesting to listen to the various responses.  The responses were not that different from those articulated by organizations such as (SETDA)  the State Educational Technology Directors Association who believe that the key to a productive life in the globalized and digitized 21st century includes:

• core subjects (English, reading or language arts, languages, arts, mathematics, economics, science geography, history and civics) 
• 21st Century themes  (global awareness, financial, economic, business and entrepreneurial skills, civic literacy, health literacy)
• Leaning and Innovation Skills  (creativity and innovation skills, critical thinking  and problem solving skills, communication and collaboration skills)
• Information, Media and Technology Skills  (information literacy, media literacy and ICT literacy)
• Life and Career Skills  (flexibility and adaptability, initiative and self-direction, social and cross-cultural skills, productivity and accountability, leadership and responsibility) 

It will be interesting to hear whether our input results in a similar framework that is BC made, and BC developed.  My hope is that the orientation to the framework will come with a distinct connection to the educated citizen.  Will we all be clear that the reason for teaching and learning will be directed at the “dream” of a literate and socially motivated citizen.  Such a citizen should be able to inquire, continually build on natural talent, and nourish the ability to build ideas.  I would hope that the intention of our plan would be to sustain and further develop what is good in our society. 

Any change process should begin with a compelling story.  Let’s hope that once we complete this important work of retooling our education system there is clarity  as to our intended purpose.

“  Students learn skills by seeing them, understanding them, and practicing them until they become an integrated part of the students’ repertoire.  Thus, the models of teaching that fit the requirements of our time are in the inductive, cooperative, and inquiry-complex.”              -Joyce & Calhoun

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“A teacher tells, a good teacher explains, a better teacher demonstrates, a best teacher inspires”   -  author unknown

In future blogs I will discuss various versions of 21st Century Learning. In this version I will report and summarize a current version of 21st Century Learning that I read in the recent ASCD book Teaching 21st Century Skills an ASCD Action Tool by Sue Beers.
The book itself is well organized in that it presents a “Framework for 21st Century Learning” and then follows up with instructional planning tools and classroom tools for teachers. I would highly recommend the book for any teacher wishing to examine and/or improve their own practice.
The diagram below is a reproduction from the book of the framework that connects various elements of an instructional orientation into a compact and easily understood framework.

The diagram below is a reproduction from the book of the framework that connects various elements of an instructional orientation into a compact and easily understood framework.

The framework takes the three R’s and four C’s of the original work published in 2003.  The Partnership for 21^st Century Skills identified elements of 21^st Century Learning.  This iteration blends context, skills, and good pedagogy into a useful framework.

Inside the triangle are the Three R’s of literacy: reading, ‘riting, and ‘rithmetic.  New literacies; the four C’s are also included.  These being

• Creativity and innovation
• Critical thinking and problem solving
• Communication
• Collaboration

The good teacher will find the appropriate way to teach these skills through engagement with subject area content.

The three elements within the triangle are supported by elements that we need to consider in our individual frameworks.  These include

• Learner Attitude and Motivation to Learn
• Thoughtful Engagement
• Effective use of Technology
• Life and Career Skills

While the framework makes real sense I am left with the reinforced sense that 21^st Learning is best served by great instruction from knowledgeable and capable teachers.  What makes this district so good is that we have professionals making appropriate and energizing decisions about how to teach on a daily basis.

“Don’t be afraid to take a big step if one is indicated; you can’t cross a chasm in two small steps”     -     David Lloyd George

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