The 21 st Century Learner Siegfried Ramler IFE 2020 March 3, 2009

The Setting Four Key Pillars of Education: Learning to Know Learning to do Learning to be Learning to Live Together UNESCO’S Commission on Education for the 21 st Century

Global Literacy Understanding global linkages impacting past, present and future Alternatives to a textbook centered curriculum: Use of primary sources, such as key documents, speeches, articles of a given period to stimulate analysis and critical thinking Inter-disciplinary and team approach in the teaching of a civilization, integrating literature, language and the arts in the historical context and calling for a collaboration of teachers across the curriculum,

Change Dynamics The rapidity of change and volatility of the 21 st century environment. Learning and teaching go beyond transmission of knowledge of past historical events and extend to issues and challenges dealing with the present and future Dealing with issues, predicaments and dilemmas from a global perspective, preparing students to cope with a rapidly changing environment.

New Learning Models Anticipatory learning with student participation in past- present-future scenarios. Models of study units, beginning with exploration of the students’ local setting and expanding across cultures and boundaries to manifestations abroad. A conceptual framework for curriculum, which places teaching and learning into a global context with alternate scenarios projecting into the future

Social and Ethnic Diversity Enriching educational experiences through school- community programs featuring diverse cultures. Bringing speakers and presenters from diverse cultural backgrounds into the school setting. Inviting civic leaders from diverse backgrounds and faiths for presentations and dialogue leading to multi- ethnic understanding, cooperation and conflict resolution

Extending Education Outside the Academic Environment Instilling Social Responsibility Mapping community needs. Service learning projects. Exploration of social policies and issues of legislation and governance which impact social conditions. Expand from exploration of local conditions to an understanding of global challenges

Education for Ecological Literacy “Human history becomes more and more a race between education and catastrophe” – H.G. Wells Universal challenges requiring an understanding of the interaction of humans and the earth’s system. Education for sustainability requires an interdisciplinary framework of learning and teaching, going beyond the biological and physical sciences.

Education for Economic Literacy Home-school link towards economic literacy in early childhood education Cross-disciplinary approach in integrating economics in the study of societies – local, national and global. Potential for “hands-on” classroom experiences in economic understanding Career exploration opportunities

Study and Service Abroad International studying, living and serving as a core component of the school experience. Transformative impact of the study abroad experience. Second language mastery – a vital aspect of schooling in a global environment

21 st Century Learner The wired universe – pervasive impact of technology on today’s learner. Disconnect between schooling and non-formal ways the learner obtains information. Potential of technology and the media to bring the classroom into the world and the world into the classroom. Information literacy and media literacy – essential requirements for analysis and critical thinking in the educational environment