20th vs. 21st Century Classrooms



 

 A Comparison Chart - which one describes your classroom or school?

 

20th Century Classrooms

21st Century Classrooms

 

Time-based

Outcome-based

Focus on memorization of discrete facts

Focus on what students KNOW, CAN DO and ARE LIKE after all the details are forgotten

Lessons focus on lower level of Bloom’s Taxonomy – knowledge, comprehension and application

Learning is designed on upper levels of Bloom’s – synthesis, analysis and evaluation

Textbook-driven

Research-driven

Passive learning

Active learning

Learners work in isolation – classroom within 4 walls

Learners work collaboratively with classmates and others around the world – the Global Classroom

Teacher-centered:  teacher is center of attention and provider of information

Student-centered:  teacher is facilitator/coach

Little or no student freedom

Great deal of student freedom

“Discipline problems” – educators do not trust students and vice versa. No student motivation.

No “discipline problems” – students and teacher have mutually respectful relationship as co-learners;  students are motivated.

Fragmented curriculum

Integrated and Interdisciplinary curriculum

Grades averaged

Grades are based on what was learned

Low expectations

High expectations – “If it isn’t good, it isn’t done”  We expect, and ensure, that all students succeed in learning at high levels.  Some may go higher – we get out of their way to let them do that.

Teacher is judge.  No one else sees student work.

Self, Peer and Other assessments.  Public audience, authentic assessments.

Curriculum/School is irrelevant and meaningless to the students.

Curriculum is connected to students’ interests, experiences, talents and the real world.

Print is the primary vehicle of learning and assessment.

Performances, projects and multiple forms of media are used for learning and assessment.

Diversity in students is ignored.

Curriculum and instruction address student diversity.

Literacy is the 3 R’s – reading, writing and math

Multiple literacies of the 21st century – aligned to living and working in a globalized new millennium.