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The world has changed. What does literacy look like today? It certainly means being able to read and write, understand mathematics and science, and apply this knowledge to real-world issues.
But literacy also means understanding that our world is complex. It is a world driven by new ideas, knowledge, and technology. It is made up of different peoples, cultures, and perspectives. If we are to rise to the challenges and opportunities in this new global age, it means embracing a new vision for teaching and learning.
Credit: Dewey Nicks
In this new world of learning, enabled by technology, Edutopia advocates the following building blocks of a modern learning environment:
- Assessment Evaluation must go beyond traditional tests by using performance assessments to gauge what students know and can do.
- Project Learning The benefits of in-depth investigation of real-world topics make this approach ideal for acquiring twenty-first-century skills.
- Social and Emotional Learning The "soft skills" cited so often as critical to work and life success can be taught in school.
- Teacher Development Becoming a skillful educator requires not only subject-matter expertise but hands-on experience as well.
- Technology Integration When effectively integrated into the curriculum, technology can extend learning in powerful ways.
