Becoming a 21st Century School
  • Blog
    • 21st Century Schools site
    • LinkedIn Group
    • Curriculum
  • Schools
    • Schools
    • Inner Harbour
    • The Zoo School
    • Anne Frank Inspire Academy
  • 21st Century Schools
  • 21st Century Schools International
  • Global Collaborative Classrooms
  • Subscribe eNews

Exploring the Possibilities!

The purpose of the blog is to provide additional support to educators as well as parents and community members who wish to create schools which will provide children with the experiences needed to flourish!

​Anne Shaw, Director, 21st Century Schools

20th Century vs 21st Century Model of Education

8/22/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
​
In this post I am offering my perspectives on how education today remains firmly entrenched in what is often called the Factory Model, which was designed for the Industrial Revolution.  The majority of students at that time were educated to prepare for work on farms on in factories.  This is an obsolete model of a by-gone era.  But it is still with us today, well into the 21st century:

Picture

Read More
0 Comments

The Cemetery Method

12/15/2015

1 Comment

 
Picture

The "cemetery method" is a reference to the practice of arranging classrooms that is similar to cemeteries in that the students are in rows, very still and very quiet.  
Picture
Picture

That may have been acceptable decades ago when schools were designed on the factory model.  During the Industrial Age factories needed workers who were on time, obedient and able to perform standardized tasks.  They did not want workers who were creative thinkers.
​

Picture
Continue here . . .
1 Comment

Tour of some exemplary 21st Century Schools

3/9/2014

0 Comments

 

Now that's what I'm talking about!  

We included 2 very brief videos just to give you a quick glimpse of what we saw.  On the left is a video I took from the library at the Zoo School - look at that snow!  Temperatures were well below zero during our visit to Minnesota! Moving to a more hospitable climate, we next visited the Anne Frank Inspire Academy in San Antonio!
I begin this post with a quick commentary about the weather - it mattered!  Then follow the "Read more" link to read my analysis of these two schools in terms of our criteria for an Exemplary 21st Century School.  You will also find a link to a page entitled, "What we did NOT see, thankfully!"    My next post will provide more information about each of these truly 21st century, phenomenal schools.  

On February 26 and 27, 2014 we enjoyed the opportunity to visit two schools.  These schools represent the finest in the design of schools for the 21st century - from their educational paradigms, to the curriculum and instruction, to the design of their buildings and grounds!  These schools were intentionally designed for the needs of the 21st century student!

On the morning of February 26,  as we made our way from the taxi cab to the door of the school the temperature was about 4 degrees Fahrenheit.  It had gotten down to 18 degrees below zero the night before!  I am from central Texas, and my guests are from Chennai, India, where they have three types of weather, "Hot, Hotter and Hottest!".  


As we walked to the building we passed small groups of students in the snow practicing Winter Weather Survival Techniques.  We had happened to visit during one of the school's "J" terms, a 7-day intensive focus which takes place between trimesters.  The video above, on the left, illustrates the amount of snow;  this has turned out to be the worst winter in Minneapolis recorded history!

We had arrived at the School for Environmental Sciences,  located in beautiful Apple Valley, Minnesota;  it is popularly known as the Zoo School because it is adjacent to the Minnesota Zoo.  The students conduct research at, and collaborate with, the zoo personnel in real world projects!

The second school we toured was the Anne Frank Inspire Academy in San Antonio, Texas.  The weather was very hospitable!  The school was completely amazing.  Construction is 95% complete, and students will begin attending this school in the Fall of 2014. 

Read more to learn about what it is that makes these schools exemplary 21st century schools . . . 

0 Comments
    Subscribe to eNews
    Tweet

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    21st Century Schools
    American History
    Art
    Building Community
    Building Design
    Children's Literature
    Classroom Management
    Creativity
    Curriculum
    Ecoliteracy
    Emotional/Social
    Facilities
    First Day Of School
    Global Competencies
    High Expectations
    Math
    Media Literacy
    MOVE IT
    New York City
    PBL
    Physical Environment
    Play
    Professional Development
    Project-based Learning
    Reform
    Regioal Institute
    Service Learning
    STEAM
    Sugata Mitra
    Workshop

    .

    Archives

    February 2018
    August 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    July 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    October 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    October 2013
    August 2013
    April 2013
    January 2013
    September 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    January 2012
    January 2011

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Blog
    • 21st Century Schools site
    • LinkedIn Group
    • Curriculum
  • Schools
    • Schools
    • Inner Harbour
    • The Zoo School
    • Anne Frank Inspire Academy
  • 21st Century Schools
  • 21st Century Schools International
  • Global Collaborative Classrooms
  • Subscribe eNews