"If we teach today's students as we taught yesterday's, we rob them of tomorrow." ~ John Dewey

The above quote might seem dated when considering Dewey's influence in education in the first half of the 20th century.  But it brings up valid points:

• What type of world do we live in today?
• What type of world will we live in ten years from now?
• How does what our children need to know differ from what we needed to know in our generation?
• How many times have you had to learn, relearn, or unlearn something in your job in the last few years?

Our world has changed from an agrarian society, to an industrial society, to an information society in just 100 years.  Jobs that are available to college graduates today didn't exist ten years ago.  We are truly preparing children for a different world.

What is a 21st Century Classroom?

It is difficult to explicitly define the 21st Century Classroom because so many factors pertain to an effective 21st Century Classroom.  Sometimes, it is easier to say, "This is what 21st Century classrooms look like."
A 21st Century Classroom truly is about the rich learning taking place.  In our world today, technology must be used to drive the rich learning so that are students are prepared for various challenges they'll be faced with as adults and because students are fluent in "tech language."  Regardless, the qualities of a 21st Century Classroom include the following:

• Creativity
• Collaboration
• Communication
• Critical Thinking
  

• Media Literacy
• Information Literacy
• Technology Skills
• Life and Career Skills
  

As our world changed, did our perception of how students learn best change?

The above criteria of a 21st Century Classroom make for a unique learning environment.  Rather than completing worksheets, reading from a textbook, completing the questions in the back, and taking tests at the end of units, students are engaged in critical thinking throughout units in the form of project based learning.  Projects are based on real-world problems that require innovative solutions.  Examples of such types of projects and research from The Partnership for 21st Century Schools can be found here.

Many great educators have constructed research around 21st Century Learning and have found it to be an effective pedagogical practice.  In addition to The Partnership for 21st Century Schools, The Metiri Group has researched and developed a skill set for effective 21st Century Schools.

Want to learn more?  Check out these websites and articles.