I wish I had a hundred dollars for every time a teacher said to me, “I just need a picture of what 21st Century learning looks like in Language Arts”…or “Science”…or”fill in the blank with your favorite content area”. Everyone, everywhere is trying to wrap their brain around what a 21st Century classroom looks like, feels like and sounds like. How is it different from the 20th Century classroom? We all need to be asking that question. We all need to be answering that question. But it isn’t easy. In fact, easy is a myth.
Over the past six years, I’ve traipsed over, under and around, looking to sharpen my understanding of 21st Century learning… my Diigo bookmarks will undoubtedly provide you with a pretty good picture of my travels. Not content with the belief that 21st Century learning is all about technology, I’ve logged in hundreds of hours stomping through the writings of Will Richardson, Sheryl Nussbaum Beach, Daniel Pink, Howard Gardner, Chris Lehman, David Warlick, Kim Cofino, Sir Kenneth Robinson, Ira Socol, Peter Pappas…and on and on and on. (Some might call it an obsession; I prefer to call it passion.)
So what have I discovered? (Heads up: I don’t think you’re going to like my answer.) I’ve discovered that we need to look beyond the easy answer…the pat answer…the I don’t have time to dig any deeper answer. My friend Sheryl Nussbaum Beach will tell you that you can’t give away what you don’t own…and she’s right. If I’m going to truly understand what it means to be a learner in the 21st Century, then I’m going to have to put on my running shoes ‘cuz this is a marathon, folks…and if we’re doing it right, we’re going to get sweaty.
But we’ve got to begin some place, right? Below you’ll find some of my favorite resources I’ve discovered while on this journey. Click on the links…and the links that take you to other links. (Or find your own cool links.) Read them. Reflect on them. Allow yourself to learn, unlearn and relearn. (Toffler) Then, come back here and share your growing understanding of 21st Century learning by listing exactly five characteristics of a 21st Century classroom, teacher and/or student. Only five. Can you do it? Remember…there’s no easy button.
Diane Rhoten
My P.L.E.
Four Negotiables
The 21st Century Educator
The 21st Century Learner
The 21st Century Classroom
Toolbelt Theory
Tara Miller: 
WendyTeis: 
Becky Tiefenbach: 
charrod: 
Bryan Devine: 
Ironically, I chose to write thoughts down on a large, ready to recycle envelope while I read through the links. The thoughts were ones that I connected with, could be reshaped into my own thinking and translated into Five Characteristics of a 21st Century Classroom. I found myself with multiple tabs open simultaneously as my learning flowed on an unscripted but meaningful path when I took my own direction to ‘link’ to other links through the ones Cary provided. I soon began steering my learning according to my interests. My progress through the articles, videos, prezis, and other digitally enabled thoughts provoked reflection.
So, I agree with you Cary that there’s no easy button. Also, I think that a 21st Century Classroom cannot be limited to only five characteristics.
In my original work above, I underlined the parts that I thought were characteristics of a 21st Century Classroom. However, those underlines did not show up after I submitted.
So here they are in a list:
connected
reshaped
multiple tabs open
unscripted but meaningful path
steering my learning
digitally enabled
provoked reflection
Awesome reflection(s), Wendy. So, I get what you mean by “provoked reflection”, “digitally enabled”, “steering my learning” and even “unscripted but meaningful path”. Can you elaborate on what you mean by “connected” and “reshaped”? (I want to have a later discussion on “multiple tabs open”.) Connected to what? Reshaped by what? How are those different from the 20th Century? Or are they?
Wow, it is hard to limit it down to 5 characteristics but here it goes. I picked up most of this from Kim Cofino.
* Interaction is expected
* Highly customized experiences
* Constantly connected
* Instant Access
* Visionary and creative
It is challenging to narrow it down and quite frankly, Wendy is right…there are more than 5 characteristics. What I’m trying to do is get us to be more discerning when we think about what makes 21st Century learning different from 20th century. If we can’t articulate the differences, we can’t really create learning experiences that reflect the 21st Century.
Okay, Bryan…ask yourself this question of each of your characteristics listed above: Was it part of the 20th Century learning culture? Certainly we have brought much of what we did into the 21st Century…hopefully the best of the best. Let’s drill down a bit more. Of the characteristics listed above, which ones would you consider ONLY 21st Century?
Love your post. Some really good thinking going on. I’m going to push you to think even deeper. Smile.
When I look at the 5 characteristics I listed I feel that instant access to the world and being constantly connected are unique to the 21st century. Highly customized experiences (differentiation) was perhaps something teachers aspired for but wasn’t as accessible as it is now with the technology that is available. Interaction was a big part of 20th century learning but I believe not to the extent that it is expected in 21st century learning. We could and did have interactions within our class but beyond our classroom walls it became much more difficult. This has changed. This holds true for being creative and visionary. In the 21st Century there is so much more available for us to turn to not to mention the speed with which technology is developing and changing. There seems to be no limit.
Awesome response! I loved everything you said but was most intrigued (and delighted) by your response to the concept of interaction. For me, it is yet another fine example of how technology can help facilitate higher levels of thinking and encourage more interaction…with other people AND with the content. Also, you hit the nail on the head…it allows for global collaboration…something that simply cannot be overlooked for it potential to transform the way in which we learn. In a few weeks, we’ll begin to take these characteristics and apply them to our classrooms…really begin to drill down into what it means to create a 21st Century classroom. Keep thinking and reflecting on your thoughts from these posts.
Get ready for some alliteration….
Paperless, Personalized, Producing, Creating, Centered
I think these 5 words epitomize the difference between a 20th century classroom and a 21st century classroom.
I specifically find the Producing and Creating traits to be intriguing. What is the difference between the two? What are the similarities? I myself wasn’t sure, so I googled producing vs. creating and came up with some interesting reading. In short, producing is working under restrictions, or technical writing. A due date is an example of a restriction. In fact, I look at it as any assigned work is produced (hopefully). Created works are ones that freely flow to/from the creator. They are inspired, loosely structured, and come from open-ended ideas. I found it interesting that googling producing vs. creating in the classroom produced no viable results. I’m thinking that might be the topic of my next blog post……note to self.
Obviously, students in the 20th century classroom produced work, so why include it on a list of differences. I think it deserves to be there because of how differently work will be produced. Instead of assignments being given, completed, and returned the production of work becomes part of a greater cycle: consumption–> production–> creation. In my opinion, 20th century classrooms required students to digest given information and regurgitate it on command. 21st century classrooms guide students into finding information, disseminating what is valid and what is not, and personalizing that information into an individualized production. The production is not the end point. Instead, students are asked to raise that production to a higher level of creation, eventually. I don’t have all the logistics figured out in my head yet, but I’m going to think about this more.
I’ve spent more time explaining Producing vs. consuming than I had planned, so centered has been a bit neglected. By centered, I mean more than student-centered or personalized; I mean focused. Envision the center of a web, strings branch off that center in an organized manner yet moving in different directions. The strings all support the center, but are not necessarily uniform. This is where I see classroom learning transitioning. Even more guide on the side; even less sage on the stage. Each student’s web of learning will look different yet be focused on a similar center. Each student’s learning will be linked or connected to their own learning and the learning or others (in the same physical space, or not).
Paperless, Personalized, Producing, Creating, and Centered.
I find this fascinating. I’ve been sitting here for a few hours so intrigued by transformation. I feel like I’m in a movie theater and I am seeing the trailer for a new movie… can’t wait to see what happens. So trying to list my five characteristics has been difficult. I have about 20 on my list so I had to narrow and prioritize. Here it is…
1. Constantly Connected (open 24 hours – love that)
2. Learner Centered
3. Remaking
4. Responsive and Personalized
5. Communicators and Creators
I think being ‘connected’ in 21st century learning means a personal connection of my own thoughts reaching outside my physical boundaries to connect with others’ thoughts. The boundaries are reshaped.
The 20th century opened doors. I could read from published authors and experts in the field of education and adopt and adapt their philosophies. I could put into practice great ideas after attending a conference or workshop in which participation relied on physically traveling to attend. I could confer with other educaiton professionals in my building or district.
The 21st century collapses boundaries. I can connect with experts right from my classroom, living room, or coffee shop! The ‘experts’ are published using electronic media. I attend webinars on topics that will reshape my professional development. The experts can be regular people like me…not a guru at all…who have tried something that worked in a meaningful way. The experts can be students who have shared a wonderful AHA moment in the learning. The boundaries start to disappear.
My learning is reshaped over and over again.
Wendy – I like your comment that we all can be an expert. We don’t have to be famous to share what works for us and our students. And the experts can be students too, and isn’t that what we want!!.