"Take a Deep Breath" - Rethinking 21st Century Teaching & Learning

On July 10th, Congressman George Miller encouraged participants at the NCTAF symposium to “take a deep breath” during this pause between presidential administrations to begin to focus on new directions for our schools to be competitive in the 21st century.

The Congressman noted, “…we have a school system that continues to look like the industrial age…and continues to operate on an agrarian clock.” (Watch a short clip of this speech, see video below.) Most schools still function in a way that is familiar and comfortable for the teachers and not the students. 21st century students are more proficient with digital technology than the students before them (and often their teachers too), they develop and construct knowledge differently, they are the most connected group, they are collaborative and resourceful, and their learning needs are not met in schools.

Congressman Miller called for schools and teachers that have the capacity to deliver a true 21st century education. How can schools move beyond the traditional structure to provide students with the skills and knowledge they will need to continue their education, work productively, and succeed in a global environment? What success stories can you share?

Keep the Conversation Going: Symposium Follow-Up

On July 10-12, 2008, the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future (NCTAF), held a destination meeting for policymakers and educators who are working on “Building a 21st Century Education System”. We challenged national and state leaders to mobilize in support of 21st century teaching, moving schools away from an industrial model and changing schools from teaching 1.0 to teaching 2.0. Keynote speaker, Congressman George Miller (D-CA), Chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee said, "The implications of globalization and the realities that today's students face make it increasingly important that we invest in an education system that supports 21st century teaching and learning." What does 21st century teaching and learning mean to you?

Over the next few weeks, we will be taking a detailed look at some of the topics that were featured at the 2008 NCTAF Symposium. Stay tuned …

Building a 21st Century Education System

Welcome to the NCTAF Learning Network! Today is the official launch of NCTAF’s new blog.

The NCTAF Learning Network is a new platform where education thought leaders can share ideas and stimulate new thinking about education, with a particular focus on new pathways to 21st century teaching. Entries posted to the blog will challenge you to re-examine the organization of schools and re-imagine the teaching profession. We hope that you will engage in a dialogue with us about promising practices, success stories and ways to overcome obstacles that hinder 21st century teaching and learning.

The success of education in the 21st century is dependent upon collaborative effort – a network of education stakeholders who stop tinkering with status-quo to make way for a new generation of schools. Creating learning environments that develop the competencies needed for true workforce readiness, lifelong learning, and 21st century citizenship is far beyond the capacity of a stand-alone teacher delivering text-based instruction in a self-contained classroom. Preparing today’s students to participate in a globally integrated community and a knowledge-based economy is a demanding challenge. No teacher should be expected to do this job alone. It is time to draw on the spirit and power of teamwork, and the new resources available in an open learning economy, to transform our schools into 21st Century learning organizations. We encourage your to make your voice heard!