How do you feel about this notion? Perhaps a scary thought. In education, we say, “No way!” This is an exciting time in the lives of our children. Subject matter, or content, is present in all we do. Traditionally it has been how we learn. So, what has changed? It is not so much ‘what’, but ‘how’ children learn that is leading this educational change.
“We are currently preparing students for jobs that don’t yet exist, using technologies that haven’t been invented, to solve problems that we don’t even know are problems yet.” Karl Fisch, Shift Happens.
Armed with technology and the skills to use it effectively, students can retrieve content faster than teachers can impart it. So, how can we do more than just teach content? It is known as the “4C’s of Education” – Collaboration, Creativity, Critical Thinking and Communication. This skill development teaches students strategies on how to apply what they learn in the classroom to real-life situations, better preparing them for their future after school.
Get ready to have your traditional view on classroom teaching and learning challenged. It is suggested, contemporary learning spaces, supported by engaging, motivational teaching methods are the best preparation for the future.
Peace Lutheran College’s progressive approach to learning with modern-day education transformations has provided our Junior School students with flexible and stimulating learning spaces that promote collaboration and enquiry, and engage students to ask questions and problem solve.
We want our students to develop and demonstrate these types of skills and attitudes:
• Collaborators – empathic, compassionate and reliable.
• Self-managers – resilient, responsible and reflective.
• Communicators – confident, responsive and respectful.
• Thinkers – open-minded, flexible and persistent.
• Researchers – curious, courageous and resourceful.
Our Head of Junior School, Mrs Sarah Rowan said, “Parents understand that each of their children have their own strengths and limitations. The beauty of the flexible learning model is it allows a ‘way in’ for every learner, something that a more traditionally designed classroom may not have been able to offer.”
And our parents agree. A parent of a year 5 student said, “The agile learning spaces at Peace Lutheran College have excited us as a family, but more importantly have had a positive impact on our son’s confidence, curiosity and social skills. The collaborative group setups allow him to openly communicate his ideas and his ideas are recognised as important.”
Would you like to see how our classrooms of the future work for students of today? Contact the College to book your tour of our school.
Check out their website for more info
