I am lucky to know some amazing teachers. I know teachers who are throwing open the doors of their classrooms and partnering with community organizations, libraries, and museums to expand students’ learning opportunities. I know teachers who are flipping the hierarchical teacher-student relationship on its head to allow students to take the lead in their learning. I know teachers who are linking their students to networks that discuss and take action on the most pressing issues of the day.
When I ask these teachers why they are making these innovative moves in their practice, they tell me they feel compelled to do so in order to prepare their students for the interconnected world in which we now live. They recognize that schools cannot continue to use 20th century approaches in our 21st century society. They want students to be active, engaged, and passionate scholars and citizens, and they know that intellectual agility needs to be cultivated.
Tags: connected learning • Reimagining Learning • Teaching