Somers Central School DistrictDesigning Schools for the 21st Century
Presented to the Board of Education, January 12, 2010
Tonight’s purpose:
• Consider the broader context of education in the United States.
• Define ‘21st Century Learning’ as it relates to our schools
• Share highlights from our schools/consider next steps
We are living in permanent white water
The world is changing
Our students are changing
Technology is changing
Globalization has profoundly impacted our economy and has
redefined workforce demands of a knowledge economy.
The nature of students is changing…
Today’s students are
the most watched-over generation in
history.
Today’s students think and learn differently…
• Graphics oriented• Accustomed to rapid change and thrive on it.• Demand quick, if not instant, gratification.• Can access information instantly, though not adept
at evaluating it. • Have “hypertext minds” that prefer to leap around
rather than follow a linear thought process.*from Millenials Rising
Today’s students are ‘digital natives’…• Technology is at the very core of their
existence.• Staying connected is essential. Carry an
arsenal of electronic devices, the smaller the better.
• The Web is the hub for all their activities, creating and sharing of content.
• Prolific communicators who gravitate toward activities that promote and reinforce social interaction.
• Environmental literacy
As we find ourselves in the midst of all of this, where exactly are we in the evolution of our district? Where are we headed?
This suggests a changing role for teachers…• assume varied roles as appropriate by modeling,
facilitating, lecturing, demonstrating, coaching, observing, participating, encouraging, nurturing, guiding, listening, mentoring
• work with individuals, small groups or large groups
• differentiate instruction and assessment
• set clear academic and behavioral expectations
• integrate technology
and a changing role of students…• Not only answer, but ask the right questions
and solving new problems• Work in teams• Learn how to find, communicate and apply
information• Demonstrate initiative and leadership• Manage their time and prioritize more
effectively• Interact in a multimedia, graphics-based
environment
“Education is the currency of the Information Age.”
Barack Obama
National Education Agenda…• Transform curriculum and assessment with a
‘focus on thinking and performance skills in a 21st century society.’
• Incentives to redesign schools that are still based on an outmoded factory model
• Create more personalized and engaging middle and high schools
• Use technology to reinvent education.• Create ‘more productive models of education –
charter schools’• Increase teacher capacity/revamp teacher
training
How is Somers responding to the call for 21st Century outcomes?
Teach Students to Use Their Minds Well/Aim for Mastery
Focus on Results
Depth of Understanding vs. Quantity of Coverage
Student as Active Learner
All Children Can Learn
For the past 15 years, these goals have been evidenced in Somers’ Guiding Instructional Principles…
…and our ‘Desired Student Outcomes’. All students will become:
•proficient readers, writers and communicators
•complex thinkers problem solvers and decision makers
•collaborative workers
•quality producers
•self-directed learners
•effective users of technology
•healthy and physically fit individuals
•appreciative performers, audiences, and creators of the arts
•understanding and accepting members of a diverse society and world as knowledgeable, responsible and involved citizens
In Somers, our work is defined by a cycle of continuous improvement
Our long-time focus has been on:
•Project-based , student-centered learning
•Performance based assessments
•Focus on critical thinking skills, questioning, self-reflection
•Cooperative learning/team building
•Differentiated instruction
•Use of technology as a key tool/resource for teaching and learning
•Focus on learning ‘beyond classroom walls’
•Emphasis on global awareness and sustainability
Current initiatives: a few highlights…
Focus on Math, Science and TechnologyTri-State Consortium review of K-12 ScienceExamination of teaching and learning in our Math
classrooms – real-world application of math skills as related to problem solving and integration with other curriculum areas
Expanded opportunities in Tech Ed, Media, Computer-based applied arts
• Environmental literacy
https://www.edline.net/pages/Somers_CSD
SMS and SIS participating in a Education for Sustainability Curriculum Development Project via PNWBOCES region.
Outdoor education integrate learning – students are engaged in science, social studies, problem solving and collaborative learning projects as they expand the “walls” of our schools
In 7th Grade English Classes . . .
Siemens Challenge – MS Science
Tech Tools that help students identify their own learning styles in conjunction with global studies unit
Using technology to communicate and connect outside of our own district…
The Pepsi Project
8th Grade Social Studies
Collaborative WIKI Experience
World of Technology
Applying problem solving skills to the deconstruction and re construction of a computer
High School Biology and Gizmos!
Technology Education, Green Power Club and Technology Student Association (TSA) with increased female involvement.
S.T.E.M.
Collaboration with Jacob Burns Film Center’s Education department to explore media literacy in the Intermediate Grades. See Hear Feel Film teaches students active viewing skills and the techniques of telling a story through film.
Participation in program design inititiative, Teaching and Technology in the Digital Age
Our ‘paperless initiative’ has helped us to communicate in ways that are more compatible with 21st Century Teaching and Learning –
In Somers, our work is defined by a cycle of continuous improvement
• Innovate – a group of teachers and administrators have begun working together to explore the role of instructional technology in the 21st Century Classroom
• Define practices that engage students in 21st Century skills – especially in critical thinking, communication and collaboration