21st Century Learning and Teaching

Read an excerpt... Four-Dimensional Education: The Competencies Learners Need to Succeed October 2015 192 pages Copyright © 2015 by Center for Curriculum Redesign All rights reserved. ISBN-13: 978-1518642562 ISBN-10: 151864256X "A very thoughtful treatment of the competencies our students need to thrive in today’s (and tomorrow’s) world. This book will help educators understand and navigate the critical choices we are facing.” –Carol Dweck, Lewis & Virginia Eaton Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychology, Stanford University

Conclusion

Even though these weeks were considered a maker education summer camp, there was an expectation from the school and parents that the learning activities incorporated the expectations and rigors of a classroom environment. I could easily identify cross-curricular state and common core standards even though I never taught to THE standards. Never during the sessions were the young learners formally testing, asked to be quiet or sit still, or asked to finish quickly so we can move on. Yet, I believe each of the kids would say that they learned lots . . . . and had fun doing so.

Young makers are more capable than what people (adults) typically believe.

Instead, the making learning activities were structured to honor natural ways of learning along with developmentally appropriate practices. Sadly, it appears that some of these natural ways of learning were “conditioned” out of the young learners through more formalized education as I identified in my observations.

Incorporating making into a learning environment teaches lifelong learning skills such of perseverance, love of learning, working with others, and embracing challenges.

Learn more:

- https://gustmees.wordpress.com/2014/08/20/maker-space-a-new-trend-in-education-and-a-big-responsibility/

- https://gustmees.wordpress.com/2014/08/24/coding-a-new-trend-in-education-and-a-big-responsibility/

- http://www.scoop.it/t/21st-century-learning-and-teaching/?tag=carol+dweck