21st Century Learning Summer Conference August 12-14, 2009 Canmore, Alberta Sharon Friesen, PhD

OverviewOverview 21 st Century Realities Changes in the work place Advances in digital technologies Global connections Changes in our understanding of learning Implications For Leaders Effective leadership practices Arenas for change

21 st Century Realities Changes in the work place Advances in digital technologies Global connections Changes in our understanding of learning

Requirements for Participation in Today’s Society Strong disciplinary knowledge – deep conceptual understanding of complex concepts. Work creatively with concepts to generate new ideas, new theories, new products and new knowledge – the capacity to uncover and clarify new problems, questions and phenomena. Critically evaluate what is read. Express ideas and thoughts verbally and in writing using a variety of media.

Connect and integrate ideas from a variety of disciplines turning that into usable knowledge -- the ability to integrate ideas from different disciplines or spheres into a coherent whole and to communicate that integration to others. Respectful – awareness of and appreciation for differences among human beings and human groups. Self directed – learn how to learn. Ethical – Pondering the nature of your work in relationship to needs of the society in which you live.

Advances in Digital Technologies

Instantaneously Connected Globally

Changes In Our Understanding Of Learning

CEA What Did You Do In School Today FIRST YEAR FINDINGS CHALLENGE CHALLENGE High Low High Low SKILLS Students likely to feel apprehensive or anxious about learning Students likely to feel apathetic towards learning Students may find school work boring or of little relevance Students feel interested and successful 25% 37% 5% 33% Willms, Friesen & Milton, 2009 CANADA

21 st Century Learning Environments Bransford, Brown & Cocking, 2000

Learning Changes The Brain MINDS Text

Example: The Practice of Science

COLLABORATIVE ENDEAVOUR

Collaborative Knowledge Building P2P: Untapped Potential

Technologies For Knowledge Building

Digital Technologies and 21 st Century Learning

Scaffolding is Important Sawyer, 2006; Greeno, 2006

Assessment For Learning is Essential for student learning

Feedback In Action Peer Feedback

Feedback In Action Self Feedback

for teacher learning

Formative Assessment InterventionExtra Months of Learning Gained Per Year Classroom Cost per Year Class-size reduction by 30% (30 students to 20 students) 3$30,000 Formative assessment 6 to 9$3,000 Wiliam, 2007

Instructional Practices Matter 1234 EngagementDisengagedRitualistic ComplianceAcademic Engagement Intellectual Engagement Cognitive Investment Passive – copying notes, info recall Some group workActive information play Academically rigourous knowledge building Instructional StyleInstructionist – one size fits all InteractiveDifferentiatedResponsive - conforms to learners AuthenticityNo value beyond activitySome attempt at application Application beyond school Value beyond school

Improving Instruction The quality of an education system cannot exceed the quality of its teachers. World’s Best Performing School Systems, World’s Best Performing School Systems, 2008.

(Leithwood et al, 2007) Leadership Matters Leadership is second only to teaching and learning in its impact on student learning

Leading 21 st Century Learners Participating in teacher learning and development Leading teachers to base teaching decisions on formative evaluations 0.90 Planning, coordinating and evaluating teaching, curriculum and pedagogy (direct involvement, regularly visiting classrooms, formative feedback and feed forward) Ensuring teachers are intellectually stimulated about current research informed practices Strategic resourcing, (aligning resource selection and allocation 0.60 Actively challenge status quo0.60 Establishing goals and expectations0.54 Maintaining an orderly supportive environment 0.49 Elmore, 2006; Friesen & Jacobsen, 2009; Hattie, 2009; Leithwood, 2007; Marzano, 2006

Change for 21 st Century Learning Change for 21 st Century Learning Conditions of learning and teaching for students and adults Competencies of adults Improving Teaching and Learning Culture of classroom s, schools, districts Shared values, beliefs, assumption s, expectations, & behaviors. External “architecture” that influences student learning and the ability to improve student learning. Skills and knowledge that impact and influence student learning. Wagner, 2008

21 st Century Learning Authentic to disciplinary ways of knowing, doing and being. Discipline and interdisciplinary-based inquiry Collaborative knowledge building Scaffolded Oodles of formative assessment Teaching and learning decisions are based on evidence Digital technologies are part of the culture of how we do things around here

Outcome: 21 st Century Learners Strong disciplinary knowledge – deep conceptual understanding of complex concepts. Work creatively with concepts to generate new ideas, new theories, new products and new knowledge – the capacity to uncover and clarify new problems, questions and phenomena. Critically evaluate what is read. Express ideas and thoughts verbally and in writing using a variety of media.

Connect and integrate ideas from a variety of disciplines turning that into usable knowledge -- the ability to integrate ideas from different disciplines or spheres into a coherent whole and to communicate that integration to others. Respectful – awareness of and appreciation for differences among human beings and human groups. Self directed – learn how to learn. Ethical – Pondering the nature of your work in relationship to needs of the society in which you live.

What are you going to put into place so that you can lead 21 st century learning in your school/s and/or school district?