The 21st Century Learner is no longer learning content, they are learning how to contribute, create and transform the world. Our profession is challenged to help create engaged thinkers, with entrepreneurial spirits, and ethical citizens. We are teaching the whole student- spirit, heart and mind. At the centre of this teaching is the desire to build a future generation that is brave, caring and resourceful in the face of adversity.
This graphic is the Framework for Student Learning in Alberta..
The student is at the centre of the framework. Education has to be student centred and student led. Children learn best when they build their own learning. They are curious. Our job is to feed their curiosity and to encourage their growth. To challenge them in their pursuit of answers.
Literacy and numeracy are vital to student learning. They are fundamental skills to reaching the higher order thinking we aim for. Fluency is vital to opening the doors for true understanding of the world around them. They cannot move forward without them.
The Competencies are attitudes, skills and knowledge that are key to building engaged entrepreneurial and ethical citizens. They are the educational paths we are trying to grow within our students. They shape our decisions, our lessons, and our interactions.
As Educators we need to ask ourselves…
1. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving and Decision Making- Are my students being challenged to think critically, to question their thinking and challenge others thinking? Have I built opportunities for them to problem solve, and make decisions?
2. Creativity and Innovation- Am I encouraging them to come up with original work and ideas? I need to teach them that they are valuable, that it is okay to take risks, and to make mistakes. Am I building their confidence and increasing their stamina? Am I letting them find their own solutions instead of providing the answers for them?
3. Social, Cultural, Global and Environmental Responsibility- Have I helped them explore their identity? We need to instill a sense of belonging, to ensure they understand they are a vital part of something much bigger than themselves. Do they know that they are God's creations, that they are unique as well as part of a history? They are part of a family, a school, a community, and a world where the choices they make can ripple out to touch so much more than themselves. Have I taught them what a huge responsibility this is? Do they see the rewards that come from acts of fairness, equality, compassion and freedom, and understand that it is their job to protect the environment and the people they are a part of? I must teach with love and compassion, and be a role model in all of these aspects.
4. Communication- Am I teaching them to truly listen to each other? Am I guiding empathy in their interactions? I want to see their confidence grow, their desire to share who they are come pouring forth. I want to see them let the world in, to let it shape who they become and to shape it in return.
5. Digital and Technological Fluency- Am I giving my students a chance to become immersed in the new technologies that are part of this age? The point is not just to get my students using technology. Am I encouraging students to create, communicate, and collaborate in ways that would otherwise not be possible? Are these technologies encouraging inquiry-based and self-directed learning? Are they effectively letting me tailor my teaching to accommodate student's individual needs and increase their engagement? Am I teaching them the inherent dangers and responsibilities that are vital skills to becoming a competent digital citizen?
6. Lifelong Learning, Personal Management and Well-being- Have I infected my students with a love of learning? Is their excitement and enthusiasm spilling through the school doors into their home lives and becoming a vital part of who they are? A student must understand that their passions and talents are a gift to be honed and respected. That God has given them these gifts to be used for more than personal satisfaction, that their contribution to the world is important and it matters. Children come to us from such varied backgrounds. Have I done my best to create a space where they feel loved and valued? Have I taught them they are valuable and precious? Have I tried to develop in them the resources they will need to be successful, the ability to balance the different parts of their lives and relationships, the ability to make strong, responsible decisions? Emotional Intelligence is a vital part of education and it needs to be part of my understanding of my students and weigh in on my decisions for how best to serve their needs.
7. Collaboration and Leadership- Have I designed opportunities for my students to show leadership and grow in these roles? Am I encouraging collaboration amongst students on a variety of levels? Teamwork skills and empathy need to be modelled, taught and praised throughout our days together.
All of these competencies need to be taught throughout the Subject/discipline areas. These areas provide the context where learning takes place. Subjects should be largely interdisciplinary and students need to see how they connect with the world around them and outside the schoolroom doors
This framework gives us insight into the purpose of education in the 21st century. The world is changing in such substantial ways. We need to be certain that education is meeting the needs of it's students by building strong, creative, versatile, citizens who are caring and ethical as they work towards creating a better world for generations to come..
This graphic is the Framework for Student Learning in Alberta..
The student is at the centre of the framework. Education has to be student centred and student led. Children learn best when they build their own learning. They are curious. Our job is to feed their curiosity and to encourage their growth. To challenge them in their pursuit of answers.
Literacy and numeracy are vital to student learning. They are fundamental skills to reaching the higher order thinking we aim for. Fluency is vital to opening the doors for true understanding of the world around them. They cannot move forward without them.
The Competencies are attitudes, skills and knowledge that are key to building engaged entrepreneurial and ethical citizens. They are the educational paths we are trying to grow within our students. They shape our decisions, our lessons, and our interactions.
As Educators we need to ask ourselves…
1. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving and Decision Making- Are my students being challenged to think critically, to question their thinking and challenge others thinking? Have I built opportunities for them to problem solve, and make decisions?
2. Creativity and Innovation- Am I encouraging them to come up with original work and ideas? I need to teach them that they are valuable, that it is okay to take risks, and to make mistakes. Am I building their confidence and increasing their stamina? Am I letting them find their own solutions instead of providing the answers for them?
3. Social, Cultural, Global and Environmental Responsibility- Have I helped them explore their identity? We need to instill a sense of belonging, to ensure they understand they are a vital part of something much bigger than themselves. Do they know that they are God's creations, that they are unique as well as part of a history? They are part of a family, a school, a community, and a world where the choices they make can ripple out to touch so much more than themselves. Have I taught them what a huge responsibility this is? Do they see the rewards that come from acts of fairness, equality, compassion and freedom, and understand that it is their job to protect the environment and the people they are a part of? I must teach with love and compassion, and be a role model in all of these aspects.
4. Communication- Am I teaching them to truly listen to each other? Am I guiding empathy in their interactions? I want to see their confidence grow, their desire to share who they are come pouring forth. I want to see them let the world in, to let it shape who they become and to shape it in return.
5. Digital and Technological Fluency- Am I giving my students a chance to become immersed in the new technologies that are part of this age? The point is not just to get my students using technology. Am I encouraging students to create, communicate, and collaborate in ways that would otherwise not be possible? Are these technologies encouraging inquiry-based and self-directed learning? Are they effectively letting me tailor my teaching to accommodate student's individual needs and increase their engagement? Am I teaching them the inherent dangers and responsibilities that are vital skills to becoming a competent digital citizen?
6. Lifelong Learning, Personal Management and Well-being- Have I infected my students with a love of learning? Is their excitement and enthusiasm spilling through the school doors into their home lives and becoming a vital part of who they are? A student must understand that their passions and talents are a gift to be honed and respected. That God has given them these gifts to be used for more than personal satisfaction, that their contribution to the world is important and it matters. Children come to us from such varied backgrounds. Have I done my best to create a space where they feel loved and valued? Have I taught them they are valuable and precious? Have I tried to develop in them the resources they will need to be successful, the ability to balance the different parts of their lives and relationships, the ability to make strong, responsible decisions? Emotional Intelligence is a vital part of education and it needs to be part of my understanding of my students and weigh in on my decisions for how best to serve their needs.
7. Collaboration and Leadership- Have I designed opportunities for my students to show leadership and grow in these roles? Am I encouraging collaboration amongst students on a variety of levels? Teamwork skills and empathy need to be modelled, taught and praised throughout our days together.
All of these competencies need to be taught throughout the Subject/discipline areas. These areas provide the context where learning takes place. Subjects should be largely interdisciplinary and students need to see how they connect with the world around them and outside the schoolroom doors
This framework gives us insight into the purpose of education in the 21st century. The world is changing in such substantial ways. We need to be certain that education is meeting the needs of it's students by building strong, creative, versatile, citizens who are caring and ethical as they work towards creating a better world for generations to come..