Overview

This course is designed to help educators, parents and interested persons assure that all students are learning critical 21st Century skills. Participants in this course will examine the skills that business and industry tell us are important for students to learn in order to be successful participants in a 21st Century global economy.  They will evaluate the importance of  integrating 21st Century skills into their curriculum. During this course  they will analyze their curriculum and instructional strategies to determine which 21st Century skills they currently teach, and which additional skills they can integrate into their curriculum.  The final product for teachers will be a project that requires their learners to learn 21st Century skills.  The final product for non educators will be a project plan for themselves (for another course they are taking, for their own children or chidren in their family, etc.) I will work with you to help you determine the best audience for your final project, and way to create it.

Goals

Learners will:

1. Analyze the skills that business and industry tell us are necessary for 21st Century workers
2. Determine the characteristics and learning needs of 21st Century learners
3. Evaluate the criteria for creating 21st Century schools and classrooms
4. Analyze their curriculum and instructional practices in terms of 21st Century skills and practices
5. Plan a project-based learning project for their learners
6. Examine the changing role of the teacher and the school for the 21st Century