Transforming the Classroom for Collaborative Learning in the 21st Century
ABSTRACT
Today's hyper-connected students live in a world of instant interpersonal communications and virtually infinite access to information and educational resources. But this networked world, and the powerful learning tools it offers, has yet to penetrate the typical classroom. In many ways educational institutions are spinning their curricular wheels, falling behind the evolving needs of students, communities and future employers. In general, schools are not taking full advantage of 21st century learning technologies, and they are failing to reach out to the public- and private-sector organizations that can provide them with support and fresh approaches. In this article, the author advocates for an educational transformation that aligns the "how" and "what" of learning with the learners themselves and the world of work that awaits them after they leave school. That means: (1) Instruction must be synchronized more closely with the ways students live and interact outside the classroom; (2) Curricula must address the soft skills required in today's global, information-driven workforce; (3) Technology and pedagogy must be better integrated; and (4) Educational institutions must look for partners that can add to their pedagogical strengths and help shore up their weaknesses. Networking in all its forms is key to bringing about such a transformation. The author describes the Cisco Networking Academy, an educational program that has partnered with a broad range of organizations worldwide to create an e-learning environment aimed specifically at 21st century students and their instructional needs. [Click Here] for full article
Today's hyper-connected students live in a world of instant interpersonal communications and virtually infinite access to information and educational resources. But this networked world, and the powerful learning tools it offers, has yet to penetrate the typical classroom. In many ways educational institutions are spinning their curricular wheels, falling behind the evolving needs of students, communities and future employers. In general, schools are not taking full advantage of 21st century learning technologies, and they are failing to reach out to the public- and private-sector organizations that can provide them with support and fresh approaches. In this article, the author advocates for an educational transformation that aligns the "how" and "what" of learning with the learners themselves and the world of work that awaits them after they leave school. That means: (1) Instruction must be synchronized more closely with the ways students live and interact outside the classroom; (2) Curricula must address the soft skills required in today's global, information-driven workforce; (3) Technology and pedagogy must be better integrated; and (4) Educational institutions must look for partners that can add to their pedagogical strengths and help shore up their weaknesses. Networking in all its forms is key to bringing about such a transformation. The author describes the Cisco Networking Academy, an educational program that has partnered with a broad range of organizations worldwide to create an e-learning environment aimed specifically at 21st century students and their instructional needs. [Click Here] for full article
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