what authentic 21st century schools have in common . . .
Of the most successful, that is - excellent, schools in operation today, there are certain commonalities. In our opinion, these attributes are not optional if you hope to create an authentic 21st century school:
1. Small Schools, or establishment of Smaller Learning Communities within a larger school.
2. Teacher/Student Teams - one interdisciplinary group of teachers work with a specific group of students.
3. Personalized Learning
4. Daily Class Schedule - Each Team creatse their own schedule as needed. Of course, you still have certain assigned times for arrival, dismissal, lunch and perhaps "specials" such as art, music or physical education. Otherwise, the teachers and students create their own schedule. The standard, 45-55 minute class period, with 7 to 8 periods per day, is a relic from the Industrial Age, fitted to the "factory model" of education.
5. Project-based learning
6. Integrated and Interdisciplinary Curriculum
7. Student-Centered – students are self-directed, independent and interdependent
8. Personalized Learning
9. Technology Integration
10. Intensive Professional Development (175 hours per year)
11. 21st Century Skills
12. Global Classrooms
13. Collaborative Learning
14. Real World, Rigorous and Relevant
15. High Expectations
2. Teacher/Student Teams - one interdisciplinary group of teachers work with a specific group of students.
3. Personalized Learning
4. Daily Class Schedule - Each Team creatse their own schedule as needed. Of course, you still have certain assigned times for arrival, dismissal, lunch and perhaps "specials" such as art, music or physical education. Otherwise, the teachers and students create their own schedule. The standard, 45-55 minute class period, with 7 to 8 periods per day, is a relic from the Industrial Age, fitted to the "factory model" of education.
5. Project-based learning
6. Integrated and Interdisciplinary Curriculum
7. Student-Centered – students are self-directed, independent and interdependent
8. Personalized Learning
9. Technology Integration
10. Intensive Professional Development (175 hours per year)
11. 21st Century Skills
12. Global Classrooms
13. Collaborative Learning
14. Real World, Rigorous and Relevant
15. High Expectations
