Sparking and embarking on 21st century learning adventures
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
I love to learn. It’s in my DNA. It is something that is enjoyed, savored, and in quiet moments, reflected upon. It feeds the soul and expands imagination.
The joy of learning is in the DNA of today’s educators. There is enthusiasm and a fresh vitality evidenced as teachers leave the safety of tried and true lesson plans to explore and develop the uncharted experiences that involve 21st century learning skills, project-based learning, and active student engagement. STREAM (the blending of Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Art and Math) is integrating learning in an array of disciplines to make it more connected and to help it come alive.
Educators realize that students are entering a society that is rapidly changing. Life is a classroom that incorporates aptitudes of flexibility, collaboration, deep-thinking, decision-making, creativity and risk-taking. In taking risks, a by-product at times is failure, a natural part of the human experience that provides fertile ground for deeper learning and understanding. Without such failure or mistakes, Coca-Cola, Post-It Notes, Play-Doh, chocolate chip cookies, salt water taffies, Penicillin and Coumadin would never have been part of our reality. Unintended or accidental discoveries continue to contribute to our society.
To serve the needs of today’s students, educators realize the value of implementing alternative instructional strategies. The teacher is no longer the “sage on the stage” but rather the “guide on the side”. Teachers offer informed guidance and support to students as skills are developed and honed. Teachers craft essential questions that spur consideration and deep-thinking. Communication skills, collaboration and problem-solving are incorporated throughout the curriculum so that students can apply these competencies in daily experiences.
Learning expectations and knowledge expansion are on a rapid trajectory that invites skill sets and instructional practices that engage students. To that end, administrators and teachers participated as learners this summer attending conferences at a number of higher-learning institutions including Neumann University, The College of New Jersey and the University of New Haven focusing on STREAM, on the brain and learning, and on 21st century learning skills.
Principals, business managers and grant-writing teams work together to submit grants that focus on STEM and STREAM education. Robotics has been an introductory entrée into the field of STEM exposure finding expression not only in the curriculum but also in extracurricular clubs and activities. Schools are partnering with business leaders, entrepreneurs and engineers to expand practical learning, student knowledge, direct engagement and essential hands-on learning experiences.
Professional development opportunities are part of each school’s calendar. Diocesan-wide professional development, scheduled in November, will take teachers on a learning adventure through the talents of Michael DiSpezio. Mr. DiSpezio is an educator, an author of over 30 books, and a former marine biologist who completed graduate studies at the Marine Biological Lab at Woods Hole in Massachusetts. There he worked as a research assistant to a Nobel Prize winner. His skill in engaging audiences in hands-on activities in which work becomes “play” is sure to stretch the outlook of all. He makes connections underscoring how the brain learns and how essential active learning is to develop deeper conceptual thinking and understanding.
As digital natives, students utilize technology with an empowerment and dexterity that ensures the application and expansion of new learning through a variety of venues. Innovation, creativity and life-long learning yield a new excitement in the classroom that is cultivating expanded learning for teachers and students alike.
A new year of learning unfolds. It is sure to be a year of thoughtful questions, problem-solving, much collaboration, the reliance on grit and active student learning. Catholic school educators of today are invested in sparking creativity and learning adventures for the leaders and critical thinkers of tomorrow.
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I love to learn. It’s in my DNA. It is something that is enjoyed, savored, and in quiet moments, reflected upon. It feeds the soul and expands imagination.
The joy of learning is in the DNA of today’s educators. There is enthusiasm and a fresh vitality evidenced as teachers leave the safety of tried and true lesson plans to explore and develop the uncharted experiences that involve 21st century learning skills, project-based learning, and active student engagement. STREAM (the blending of Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Art and Math) is integrating learning in an array of disciplines to make it more connected and to help it come alive.
Educators realize that students are entering a society that is rapidly changing. Life is a classroom that incorporates aptitudes of flexibility, collaboration, deep-thinking, decision-making, creativity and risk-taking. In taking risks, a by-product at times is failure, a natural part of the human experience that provides fertile ground for deeper learning and understanding. Without such failure or mistakes, Coca-Cola, Post-It Notes, Play-Doh, chocolate chip cookies, salt water taffies, Penicillin and Coumadin would never have been part of our reality. Unintended or accidental discoveries continue to contribute to our society.
To serve the needs of today’s students, educators realize the value of implementing alternative instructional strategies. The teacher is no longer the “sage on the stage” but rather the “guide on the side”. Teachers offer informed guidance and support to students as skills are developed and honed. Teachers craft essential questions that spur consideration and deep-thinking. Communication skills, collaboration and problem-solving are incorporated throughout the curriculum so that students can apply these competencies in daily experiences.
Learning expectations and knowledge expansion are on a rapid trajectory that invites skill sets and instructional practices that engage students. To that end, administrators and teachers participated as learners this summer attending conferences at a number of higher-learning institutions including Neumann University, The College of New Jersey and the University of New Haven focusing on STREAM, on the brain and learning, and on 21st century learning skills.
Principals, business managers and grant-writing teams work together to submit grants that focus on STEM and STREAM education. Robotics has been an introductory entrée into the field of STEM exposure finding expression not only in the curriculum but also in extracurricular clubs and activities. Schools are partnering with business leaders, entrepreneurs and engineers to expand practical learning, student knowledge, direct engagement and essential hands-on learning experiences.
Professional development opportunities are part of each school’s calendar. Diocesan-wide professional development, scheduled in November, will take teachers on a learning adventure through the talents of Michael DiSpezio. Mr. DiSpezio is an educator, an author of over 30 books, and a former marine biologist who completed graduate studies at the Marine Biological Lab at Woods Hole in Massachusetts. There he worked as a research assistant to a Nobel Prize winner. His skill in engaging audiences in hands-on activities in which work becomes “play” is sure to stretch the outlook of all. He makes connections underscoring how the brain learns and how essential active learning is to develop deeper conceptual thinking and understanding.
As digital natives, students utilize technology with an empowerment and dexterity that ensures the application and expansion of new learning through a variety of venues. Innovation, creativity and life-long learning yield a new excitement in the classroom that is cultivating expanded learning for teachers and students alike.
A new year of learning unfolds. It is sure to be a year of thoughtful questions, problem-solving, much collaboration, the reliance on grit and active student learning. Catholic school educators of today are invested in sparking creativity and learning adventures for the leaders and critical thinkers of tomorrow.
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