Watch this video and then think about the meaning behind "21st Century School." We're not convinced that it has much to do with 21st century skills at all. Our schools have always been rightfully proud of the processes and skills with which we have engaged our students and taught them new skills such as critical thinking (watch out Socrates!).
We are convinced that it is about the educational architecture within which those skills are delivered. So let's go back to the video. Think about it. These four musicians created a "school" on the spot (on the move going over the bridge!), used technology to replace standard forms, delivered a performance to the entire world within minutes, were not constrained by external curriculum, and created collaboratively, and expertly.
Our recommendation is to be ware of the 21st century moniker. It seems to be a really good moneymaker for things which all good educators should be doing anyway. Where it matters for Division Heads is rethinking what happens in the classroom and how the very nature of the classroom is going through a radical change. Does it have physical space? Is it split up by discipline—are disciplines relevant in the same way? Is age meaningful in how we organize students? Does technology place expertise in the grasp of the teacher and redefine the teacher's role and function?
Thinking, reflecting, and talking about these matters is crucial to the survival of our schools. Get in the conversation, learn and contribute, and always keep students at the center of the conversation.
