The Changing Tides of the Learning Process
It is becoming all too apparent these days that a sustainable economy in the 21st century demands a new approach to education. Wherever you live and whatever you do, you have a personal stake in the quality of education because without a highly skilled workforce, no community can progress, no country can prosper and no industry can grow and thrive. Yet despite the best efforts of educators, governments and individual stakeholders, school systems around the world are struggling to meet the evolving learning methods of today’s students and the requirements of their future employers.
Why Today’s Learning Isn’t Working
In the developed world, too often the curricula is still focused on equipping students for life in the last century rather than preparing them to face the challenges of the present and the future. These are challenges that require soft skills such as interpersonal communications and problem solving which offer powerful keys to success in the modern economy, replacing the narrowly focused, repetitive skills that are the earmarks of the industrial age. Literacy, numeracy and other fundamentals are still necessary prerequisites for employment, but today’s knowledge workers must also be trained to think creatively, innovate widely and use technology-based collaboration tools effectively.
Holistic Transformation is Key
The new paradigm for 21st century education will require a holistic transformation of learning systems, guided by a comprehensive roadmap that covers curricular and assessment reform, new teacher recruitment and training strategies, leadership development and the integration of collaborative technologies. This transformation will be facilitated by visionary leadership, exceptional teachers and supported by technologies that empower individuals to create, adapt and share content. Although this vision is global, the path requires a local journey, one that recognizes and responds to opportunities and challenges at the community level. The ultimate goal: a systematic restructuring that will result in a quantum improvement in both the quality and accessibility of education worldwide.
Cisco’s Global Education understands the power of collaboration and the human network. They believe that 21st century learning is a global destination that will require local stops in villages, towns and cities worldwide. But reaching that destination will require the collaboration of local officials and institutions as well as respect and understanding for diverse cultures and individual learners. In Cisco's conversations with educators and other stakeholders worldwide, they are seeing patterns of excellence that include:
- 21st century pedagogy that emphasizes learner-centric teaching, active facilitation and hands-on activities.
- Technology making a real difference in the classroom, when applied thoughtfully to ensure cost effectiveness.
- Teaching the teachers to use the new pedagogy is critical to instructional success.
- Transformation and lasting reform will require leadership that can form a broad coalition of stakeholders in both the public and private sectors.
To find out more, download the white paper, “Equipping Every Learner for the 21st Century,” at www.transformglobaleducation.org or stop by NECC booth 7178.
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