Learning in 21st Century School — The What, the Why, the How

The current model of public schooling is nearly a century old. In most countries, the model is based upon systems developed in the U.S. and the U.K., and rely upon standard subjects (Mathematics, Social Studies, etc.). They grow from a common misunderstanding about learning and life: everyone must learn and know the same things. Today, individuals and the marketplace value diversity over uniformity. Although we may learn some of the same things — particularly about behavior, communicating and taking care of ourselves and one another — the emphasis has shifted toward learning based upon personal interests and the future plans of each individual student. School was not designed for this degree of customization, or the importance of curiosity, agency, inquiry and real-world problem solving. Personal learning is now the rule, not the exception, and school is far behind the students in this regard.