For more than 100 years our nation’s industrial approach to schooling has centered around course lessons, goals and sequences that are guided by a single teacher, grade-level cohorts and a rigid set of expectations that offer little flexibility for learners or educators.
While efficient, this model of delivery has proven both ineffective and inequitable.
Gone are the days of training a factory-ready workforce. Yet, powerful forces have collectively kept this industrial paradigm of education intact despite its many failures.
What might a new, student-centered paradigm of schooling look like?
provides an action plan for rethinking teaching and learning in a way that better prepares today’s students for tomorrow’s challenges.
The plan is divided into four sections:
The Introduction – revisiting the core assumptions around schooling
Part One, “Seeing the Box†– making the case for student-centered learning
Part Two, “Getting Out of the Box†– defining innovative learning models, how they are developed and adopted
Part Three, “Moving Beyond the Box†– providing recommendations for how leaders from government, philanthropy and school systems can help realize an innovative / learning model
Teachers, policymakers, researchers and education leaders contributed to this systems transformation guide, which aims to inspire a learning model that integrates:
- Thoughtful instructional design, assessment, research and cognitive science
- Sustainable pedagogical practices
- Innovative operational design for teacher workflow, class time and classroom design
- Relevant technological tools and data
Making the shift to student-centered learning will require a coordinated effort centered on reimagining what schooling can be and renewing our collective efforts at true system modernization.
How can innovative learning models transform K-12 education? Read Out of the Box.