A Broader View:A Broader View:Keeping an Eye to the FutureKeeping an Eye to the Future

The Education of the 21The Education of the 21stst Century Learner Century Learner

The Education of the 21The Education of the 21stst Century Learner Century Learner

Dr. David Weinberger, Dr. David Weinberger, Technologist, commentator on NPR and co-author of Technologist, commentator on NPR and co-author of The Cluetrain ManifestoThe Cluetrain Manifesto. A Fellow . A Fellow at the Harvard Berkman Center for Internet and Society. Teaches Internet policy and culture at Harvard Law.at the Harvard Berkman Center for Internet and Society. Teaches Internet policy and culture at Harvard Law.

Needs of Students in the 21Needs of Students in the 21stst Century: Century:•Think criticallyThink critically•Have conversationsHave conversations•Work collaborativelyWork collaboratively•Communication and discovery is more important than testingCommunication and discovery is more important than testing

Dr. Richard Light, Dr. Richard Light, Walter H. Gale Professor of Education, Harvard Graduate School of EducationWalter H. Gale Professor of Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education

We must educate young people to:We must educate young people to:•Seek different points of viewSeek different points of view•Work collaborativelyWork collaboratively•Make connections –let a ballerina study bone structureMake connections –let a ballerina study bone structure•Take risks –learn from failure, strengthen areas not as strongTake risks –learn from failure, strengthen areas not as strong•Respond to open ended questions– ex. “If Abe Lincoln were alive today, would he be a Respond to open ended questions– ex. “If Abe Lincoln were alive today, would he be a Republican or a Democrat—why?”Republican or a Democrat—why?”

The Education of the 21The Education of the 21stst Century Learner cont. Century Learner cont.

Dr. Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot, Dr. Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot, MacCarthur prize winner and re-knowned sociologist. Recipient of the Emily MacCarthur prize winner and re-knowned sociologist. Recipient of the Emily Hargroves Fisher endowed chair which will become the Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot endowed chair upon her retirement-Hargroves Fisher endowed chair which will become the Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot endowed chair upon her retirement-first African-American woman at Harvard to have an endowed chair named in her honor. Author of the first African-American woman at Harvard to have an endowed chair named in her honor. Author of the The Third The Third ChapteChapter, a look at life from 50-75.r, a look at life from 50-75.

Characteristics of a good education for life:Characteristics of a good education for life:•Encourage risk-taking—reaching and failure can both be good teachersEncourage risk-taking—reaching and failure can both be good teachers•Consider developmental tasks appropriate to age of personConsider developmental tasks appropriate to age of person•Encourage collaborative learningEncourage collaborative learning•Value respectful reciprocity across agesValue respectful reciprocity across ages•Develop curiosity/let go of fearDevelop curiosity/let go of fear•Reorganize traditional learning to balance work and play/self and community Reorganize traditional learning to balance work and play/self and community •Encourage informal learning as well as classroom learningEncourage informal learning as well as classroom learning

Dr. Richard LightDr. Richard LightAfter finding repeatedly that students had a difficult time adjusting to the demands of their freshman After finding repeatedly that students had a difficult time adjusting to the demands of their freshman year at college, he embarked on a 20 year study at 60 colleges. The study included 100 students a year at college, he embarked on a 20 year study at 60 colleges. The study included 100 students a

year at each of the 60 colleges.year at each of the 60 colleges.

Findings:Findings:Independent school graduates differed significantly from students from some of the best public Independent school graduates differed significantly from students from some of the best public schools in the nation (Bronx School of Science).schools in the nation (Bronx School of Science).

•Seeking out adviceSeeking out advice• Independent school students were 4 ½ times more likely to seek out a professor and set up an Independent school students were 4 ½ times more likely to seek out a professor and set up an

appointmentappointment

•Time managementTime management• Used to working harder and longerUsed to working harder and longer• Used to written feedback from teachers and making revisionsUsed to written feedback from teachers and making revisions

•Writing preparationWriting preparation• Independent school students-94% used to writing research papers vs. 62% of public school students. Independent school students-94% used to writing research papers vs. 62% of public school students.

38% never wrote a research paper.38% never wrote a research paper.

•Placement at appropriate levels in coursesPlacement at appropriate levels in courses• Independent school students often placed in more advanced levels—knew their own weaknesses and Independent school students often placed in more advanced levels—knew their own weaknesses and

strengthsstrengths

•Thinking in more worldly waysThinking in more worldly ways• When asked to name 3 people in the last 100 years who have done the most good-- independent school When asked to name 3 people in the last 100 years who have done the most good-- independent school

students names: Ghandi, FDR, Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, Ronald Reagan, Martin Luther Kingstudents names: Ghandi, FDR, Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, Ronald Reagan, Martin Luther King• Public school students named recent PresidentsPublic school students named recent Presidents

GA Mission StatementGA Mission Statement

Germantown Academy inspires students to be...Germantown Academy inspires students to be...

Independent in ThoughtIndependent in Thought

Confident in ExpressionConfident in Expression

Collaborative in ActionCollaborative in Action

Compassionate in SpiritCompassionate in Spirit

Honorable in DeedHonorable in Deed