Today's elementary students have spent their entire lives surrounded by information in a variety of mediums. Studies have shown a positive impact on learning when students are required to engage in inquiry, analyze content, construct knowledge, and effectively communicate their learning.
To build your 21st century classroom: take a multimedia approach to learning core content, promote essential learning and innovation skills, build information, media, and technology skills in context and, advance life and career skills.
A 21st-century classroom maintains a strong focus on core curriculum. Exploring content while authoring authentic, media-rich projects helps students develop knowledge that is deeper and connects what is learned in the classroom to the world beyond it.
Digital tools that combine original artwork, with text, images, and voice recording give students ownership in how they demonstrate their understanding and communicate their ideas.
Sample student project, book trailer. Created in Frames.
To prepare students for a more complex life and work environment, a 21st-century classroom promotes creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration. Authentic digital project work requires students to employ:
Sample collaborative project, artifact interview. Created in Wixie.
In order to succeed in today's rapidly-changing world, students must have a "range of functional and critical thinking skills related to information, media and technology."
Using a creative digital tool like Wixie helps students learn to manage, organize, and share information as they develop online content; becoming media producers, not just consumers.
Sample student project, public service announcement. Created in Wixie.
To be successful in the 21st-century, students must be able to work without supervision, in diverse groups, and be productive members of society.
Collaborating on authentic digital projects increases student's capacity for self-directed learning, while helping them build leadership, responsibility, and empathy.
When creating a 21st-century classroom, you don't need to "add" a thing. The best way to prepare students for a fulfilling and active life in the 21st century is to change HOW we teach and learn in our classrooms.
From classroom management, to project ideas and project-based learning, the Creating a 21st-Century Classroom guide will help you transform your classroom in to a 21st-century learning environment.