What Does the 21st Century Elementary Classroom Look Like?

     Buzzwords.  Every few years, there are new buzzwords in teaching.  Just a few I've heard since I became a teacher would include: whole language, differentiated instruction, cooperative learning, progress monitoring, and data driven instruction. One of the newest buzzwords, at least for me, is 21st Century Learning.  I'll admit, this is one I wasn't really familiar with, so I dove into this week's W531 class readings with a true purpose-what is this, and how do I do it?

    P21's Framework for 21st Century Learning helped address the "what is it" part of my question.  21st century learning goes beyond the traditional 3 R's of reading, writing, and arithmetic to address skills students need to live and work in our digital world of today.   Students need to learn Life and Career Skills, which can include flexibility, accountability, and leadership.  Beyond this, students need to develop a sense of global awareness in our world that is constantly shrinking due to technological advances.  The Learning and Innovation Skills of critical thinking, creativity and collaboration are also added to the list of things that need to be taught in today's classroom.  The ASCD position statement told me that we need to "educate students to be successful in a complex, interconnected world."

     As the confusion started to clear, I began to wonder what a classroom of this sort looks like.  Particularly, what does an early elementary 21st century classroom look like?  This question led me to do some additional research. As a Generation X'er who has one foot in the field of the Digital Native, and one foot in the field of the Digital Immigrant, I turned to my old friend, Google.  After reading a great article on EdTechReview, and another on Edutopia, I had a clearer picture.  21st century classrooms, must include the usage of computers and other technologies, not as just a substitute for a pencil, but as a means of research and solving problems in new ways.  These classrooms have a much greater emphasis on collaborative and adaptive learning.  As an educator, I am seeing a lot more of this happening, and there are many students who need to be taught how to work collaboratively.  I imagine this is a role the elementary teacher can take, as well as being a facilitator for the more independent, hands-on student led work that will need to occur.  Students are required to take responsibility for their learning in this type of classroom.  They are expected to be actively engaged and accountable.  I was excited to find out that we are already doing lots of these things at the elementary school level, but we've got a ways to go to change some of the outdated teaching and learning practices we still use.  I'm excited to continue this study and improve my teaching skills to educate the future.

References:

ASCD. (2016). 21st Century Skills. Retrieved from: http://www.ascd.org/research-a-topic/21st-century-skills-resources.aspx

ATCS. (2009-2012). Assessment and Teaching of 21st Century Skills. Retrieved from: http://www.atc21s.org/

Goertz, Patrick. (2/27/15). 10 Signs of a 21st Century Classroom. Retrieved from:
 http://www.edutopia.org/discussion/10-signs-21st-century-classroom

P21. P21 Framework for 21st Century Learning. Retrieved from: http://www.p21.org/index.php

Saxena, Saomya. (12/20/13). Top 10 Characteristics of a 21st Century Classroom.  Retrieved from: http://edtechreview.in/news/862-top-10-characteristics-of-a-21st-century-classroom


Below is my rather sad attempt to illustrate my idea of the 21st Century  Classroom using Storyboard That.
Please click graphic to enlarge and read.