The Future of Education

We live in a time of chaos, complexity and contradiction. (Sardar, 2010 [1]) Where rapid changes and transformations through technology, politics, globalisation and the climate, conspire against normality (Friedman, 2016 [2]) These times demand a fresh approach to education, one that provides learners with the thinking dispositions they need to turn challenges into opportunities, to connect their learning to their passions and emerge from their years of formal education as self-navigating life-long learners. This presentation will unpack how such an approach can be embedded into the existing curriculum and encourage dreams of a future curriculum that embraces this type of learning. It will explore strategies for embedding creativity, critical reflection, communication and collaboration into their curriculum. Building on the work of Ryan & Deci (2000) in the domain of self-determination theory, we explore the forces which motivate our learners and provide the drive they require to take charge of their learning journeys.This presentation shares practices implemented by a school building a culture of thinking (Ritchhart, 20154) influenced by the work of Harvard’s Project Zero. Using strategies from Making Thinking Visible (Ritchhart, Church, Morrison, 20115), Agency by Design (Clapp, Ross, Oxman Ryan, Tishman, 20176) and Teaching for Understanding (Blythe, 19987) we will explore the development of a cohesive learning platform that prepares learners to embrace diversity and develop acceptance and empathy.

Keywords: learner agency, post-normality, creativity, critical reflection, communication, collaboration;

References:
[1] Sardar, Z. (2010). Welcome to postnormal times. Futures, 42(5), 435-444.
[2] Friedman, T. (2016). Thank you for being late. Great Britain: Picador.
[3] Ryan, R., & Deci, E. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55(1), 68-78.
[4] Ritchhart, R. (2015) Creating cultures of thinking: The eight forces we must truly master to transform our schools. San Francisco: Josey-Bass.
[5] Ritchhart, R., Church, M. & Morrison, K. (2011) Making thinking visible: How to promote engagement, understanding and independence for all learners. San Francisco: Josey-Bass.
[6] Clapp, E., Ross, J., Oxman Ryan, J. & Tishman, S. (2017) Maker-centered learning: empowering young people to shape their worlds. San Francisco: Josey Bass.
[7] Blythe, T. (1998) The teaching for understanding guide. San Francisco, California: Jossey-Bass Publishers.