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Cultivating the Imagination for a World of Constant Change: The 21st century is a world in constant change. In A New Culture of Learning, Douglas Thomas and John Seely Brown pursue an understanding of how the forces of change, and emerging waves of interest associated with these forces, inspire and invite us to imagine a future of learning that is as powerful as it is optimistic. Our understanding of what constitutes "a new culture of learning" is based on several basic assumptions about the world and how learning occurs:

"At King Middle School and Casco Bay High School, in Portland, Maine, every student works in a widely hailed project-learning method called expeditionary learning. Discover what your school can learn."

It takes a giant leap of faith for a teacher to think that their students can learn the material on their own. Teachers become teachers to teach. It is natural for the teacher to want to force the student to learn. But, this is similar to trying to force the proverbial horse to drink. Think about how many video games people have learned and won, on their own! No one had to "teach" them how; no one had to force them to play.

"Blended high schools incorporate multiple modes of learning to prepare students for college and careers. Blended learning is a shift of instructional responsibility for at least a portion of the day to an online environment to boost learning, staffing, and or facilities productivity."

Born to Learn is the first animation in a fascinating series aimed to provide easy-access to the exciting new discoveries constantly being made about how humans learn! Narrated by Damian Lewis

"We all know that students don't learn at the same pace. And everyone jokes about the broken "sage on the stage" classroom model. These teachers are doing something about it. "

"Diana Laufenberg shares 3 surprising things she has learned about teaching -- including a key insight about learning from mistakes."

The Community Learning Network is a website offering a collection of learning resource links organized by subject area, theme or area of interest. This site was designed for teachers to integrate online resources into their classroom but is also valuable for any one who embraces learning.

Learning Forward Kansas is an affiliate organization of Learning Forward. Learning Forward Kansas was formed to provide current information relating to the needs and concerns of staff development personnel

I nod in agreement with many of these ideas. Yes, we are living in an intensely stimulating world. Yes, students must own their own learning. Yes, learning is more than recall. Yes, we must make real-world links. Yes, yes, yes! But how, how, how in class sizes that are upward of 27 students? How can I stay current and interesting and relevant? How do I engage this new breed of techno-savvy, overstimulated youngsters who are bored to distraction in school? This is what I think about in August. Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/21st+century+classroom+daunting+place/5315656/story.html#ixzz1WQz26soY

"Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior. Students: * advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology. * exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity. * demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learning. * exhibit leadership for digital citizenship."

"In Intelligence Reframed Howard Gardner contends that "literacies, skills, and disciplines ought to be pursued as tools that allow us to enhance our understanding of important questions, topics, and themes." Today's readers become literate by learning to read the words and symbols in today's world and its antecedents. They analyze, compare, evaluate and interpret multiple representations from a variety of disciplines and subjects, including texts, photographs, artwork, and data. They learn to choose and modify their own communication based on the rhetorical situation. Point of view is created by the reader, the audience and the medium."

Infographics can change the way we learn, the way we see information put in front of us.  They help us digest that information and leads us to draw important conclusions more swiftly. After doing a little research online I was able to discover 10 gorgeous infographics on education that do more than simply show information, they relay it in a really potent and amazing way.

"I spend a lot of time visiting innovative classrooms in New York City. As I do, there is something that I've noticed in many classes I've visited - there are still some educators that don't seem to know the no nos for teaching with a projector or interactive whiteboard (IWB). Perhaps it's easier to notice when you're sitting as an audience member or an observer which is not often the case for teachers. If you're an innovative educator teaching with a projector or IWB, you too might be engaging in a no no or two. "

Life in the 21st century provides a whole-new world of opportunities for self-directed, passion-driven, personalized learning.  Educators who are ready to move on from teaching the way they were taught, and administrators who will let them, can begin supporting students using tools and strategies available to the 21st century learner. 

The draft of PD standards, coming from NSDC/Learning Forward.

Great conference for learning ways to incorporate a 21st century learning environment. And of course there's technology! :)