21st Century Learning
21st Century Learning is a term that is synonymous with the use of technology in education. It is “ broadly conceptualized as learning that is supported through and enabled by the use of the broad range of information and Communication Technologies (ICT) “ (Jenson, Fisher & Taylor, 2011. p.2). According to Barnett Berry Founder and CEO of the Centre for Teaching Quality 21st Century learning:
“means that students master content while producing, synthesizing,
and evaluating information from a wide variety of subjects and sources
with an understanding of and respect for diverse cultures. Students
demonstrate the three Rs, but also the three Cs: creativity, communication,
and collaboration. They demonstrate digital literacy as well as civic responsibility.
Virtual tools and open-source software create borderless learning territories
for students of all ages, anytime and anywhere.”
(How do you define 21st Century Learning, 2010)
Increasingly there is an understanding that educators and schools need to recognize that,due to the day to day use of technology in their student’s lives it is imperative that it is utilized and understood in the school environment (Jenson et.al, 2011) . The following graphic, from the website Route 21, offers a more in depth look at 21st century learning skills within a comprehensive framework.
“means that students master content while producing, synthesizing,
and evaluating information from a wide variety of subjects and sources
with an understanding of and respect for diverse cultures. Students
demonstrate the three Rs, but also the three Cs: creativity, communication,
and collaboration. They demonstrate digital literacy as well as civic responsibility.
Virtual tools and open-source software create borderless learning territories
for students of all ages, anytime and anywhere.”
(How do you define 21st Century Learning, 2010)
Increasingly there is an understanding that educators and schools need to recognize that,due to the day to day use of technology in their student’s lives it is imperative that it is utilized and understood in the school environment (Jenson et.al, 2011) . The following graphic, from the website Route 21, offers a more in depth look at 21st century learning skills within a comprehensive framework.
( Building 21st Century Skill, 2007)
The arcs represent the core themes in 21st century learning. They are as follows: Core Subjects( math, English,science) presented through 21st century lens, Information, Media and Technology Skills, Learning and Innovation Skills and Life and Career Skills. These core themes work in together to develop a pedagogy that address the needs of a 21st century learner. The rings represent the support structures in which the arcs are utilized. These include: Standards and Assessments, Curriculum and Instruction, Professional Development and Learning Environments. It is important to note that this is a framework that extends beyond the school environment into the professional workplace (Building 21st Century Skill, 2007).
Please continue to the next page to explore the historical underpinnings of this theme.
Please continue to the next page to explore the historical underpinnings of this theme.