What skills do kids need to be “successful” today?

While reading EdTech Digest, I came across an interesting page of videos that reflect on what it means to be a 21st Century learner. While I had seen most of the clips before, I had not yet seen the one above.

As you watch, think about:

• What skills and opportunities do kids need to participate effectively in modern day society?
• To lead happy, healthy and learning-filled lives?
• Now, how can you help?!

Anna

@bon_education

If 12-year-olds ruled the world, what would school be like?

I spent the weekend imagining I was twelve again. Or rather, I spent the weekend with 30 other teachers from across the Emirate of Ras al Khaimah pretending to be twelve again. The immediate goal – to feel what it is like to be 24 hours in the life of a Digital Native. The grander goal – to understand how students think and pass time in order to translate our lessons into the language that 21^st Century learners speak.

Imagine: If twelve-year-olds ruled the world, what would “schools” be like today?

Having a hard time being back in middle school?! I mean it – braces, hormones, big dreams and all! Well, thanks to the MacArthur Foundation, understanding what it is like to be twelve through the brain of a 30, 40 or 50+ year old educator, just got a wee bit easier!

Watch the video above to learn what MacArthur grantees are doing to Re-Imagine Learning in the 21^st Century. Then check out:

• Hanging Out, Messing Around, and Geeking Out: Kids Living and Learning with New Media (Mimi Ito, et. al.) to see what teens really do online. Download book summary here.
• YouMedia – a 5,500-square- foot room on the first floor of the Harold Washington Library Center in downtown Chicago, buzzes with teens hanging out with friends, remixing their own rock videos, tapping into the library’s large collection of youth literature, and using the Internet to dive deeply into issues of interest. Learn more here.
• Quest to Learn – “a school based on Kid Culture” all about inquiry-based learning, game-like learning and new learning environments.

I don’t know about you, but being 12 seems pretty good now!

Anna

Founder, Bon Education

@bon_education

PS Thanks to international education consultant Kevin Simpson from Know.Do.Serve.Learn for sending me a link to the video above!