Office Chat: The 21st Century Learning Model

We know students’ learning styles are changing with the easy availability of electronic communication, real-time multi-player gaming, and access to incredible stores of information on the Internet. We also know that employers are looking for a new range of skills from our graduates. But the question for educators is how can we adapt our teaching styles to create meaningful and meaning-making learning environments for our students.

Here, Jane Huffman of the University of Mary Washington, talks about an intentional model for teaching that addresses these requirements, not by adding to an already overloaded curriculum but by incorporating teaching strategies throughout the existing curriculum. This model is known as the 21st Century Learning Model.

The word intentional is used purposefully. As teachers, we can’t afford to be hit-or-miss in our responsibilities. Unless we make an effort to intentionally include 21st century skills as part of our lessons, they will fall through the cracks. And, as Jane explains, this need not be onerous. It is simply a matter of choosing the right data set, the 21st century example, the appropriate group activity. What is key for us as teachers is to be knowledgeable about what those 21st century skills are and be sensitive to chances to integrate them into our existing content lessons.

Jane Huffman on the 21st Century Learning Model, Part 1 of 2

Jane references The Partnership for 21st Century Skills, an organization founded in 2002 by Ken Kay and Diny Golder-Dardis as a partnership between the U.S. Department of Education, AOL Time Warner, Apple, Cable in the Classroom, Cisco, Dell, Microsoft, National Education Association, and SAP. They provided an excellent two-page flyer summarizing 21st Century Skills divided into four main areas.

Jane Huffman on the 21st Century Learning Model, Part 2 of 2

Core Subjects and 21st Century Themes

• Global Awareness
• Financial, Economic, Business and Entrepreneurial Literacy
• Civic Literacy
• Health Literacy

Learning and Innovation Skills

• Creativity and Innovation
• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
• Communication and Collaboration

Information, Media and Technology Skills

• Information Literacy Media Literacy
• ICT (Information, Communications and Technology) Literacy

Life and Career Skills

• Flexibility and Adaptability
• Initiative and Self-Direction
• Social and Cross-Cultural Skills
• Productivity and Accountability
• Leadership and Responsibility

I asked Jane if these skills apply in graduate school and in online classes. And, of course, they do. Graduate school and online classes are often, especially at UMW, part of the real world – they are 21st century learning. Our programs and classes are actively involved in the business community and in industry and government. Our students are mostly working adults in professional fields. They use 21st century skills everyday at the office. So, integrating 21st century skills in graduate school is a no-brainer – we should be doing it by default. [Last sentence revised 11/18/09]

And the same is true for online classes. The professor and student must employ technical and communication skills in a collaborative environment. Online courses use a concept called authentic assessment which means there are few objective tests. Most assessment involves problem-based individual and group projects, requiring critical and creative thinking, managed in a globally-connected, technological infrastructure.

Online is a 21st Century Skill!

References:

Framework for 21st Century Learning (4/22/09) http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/documents/framework_flyer_updated_april_2009.pdf