The Real World 2.0

Our conversations usually center on how the world of education has drastically changed over the last generation. In the last few decades, the focus of education has changed from the teacher’s teaching, to the student’s learning. We talk often these days in education about “Rigor, Relevance and Relationships”. They are known as the “three R’s” of the 21st century. Our school system finds that when learning is relevant, students are engaged and learn more. Relevant learning is happening all over our system in every school, but I’d like to share two examples with you.
We found out recently that Tabor City Middle School has been awarded the prestigious MAGNA Award by the American School Board Journal for its R.E.A.L (Relevant, Engaging, Authentic Learning) Program. This innovative program has two separate components dealing with construction trades and communications. In the construction trades portion, student use algebra and other math skills to design and build storage buildings. Students create the footprint, dimensions and design of the building, then construct and sell the building. In the communications component, students designed a tv studio, helped construct the studio, and now write a daily news cast which is viewed on close circuit TV at the school and broadcast over the internet. The broadcast is also archived on a website that is maintained by the students. (You can see it at http://www.wtcmnews.info.) It is extremely exciting as an educator to see students engaged in learning, and taking ownership of these programs. This ownership occurs because the teachers involved understand that students learn by doing, and need the freedom to do so.
Another program that has been exciting is Acme Delco Elementary’s ESP program. The ESP (Earn, Save and Prosper) financial literacy program is a product of the collaboration between The Sigma Iota Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the Riegelwood Federal Credit Union. Every student at the school has been given a savings account, and the credit union takes deposits at the school twice a week. Students learn the valuable real-world skills of saving, budgeting, and interest as well as the math concepts behind personal finance. Parents and students have also taken financial literacy workshops at the school through the ESP program. To date, close to $10,000 has been deposited by students at ADES. I believe that financial literacy is as important as any skill, for a lack of financial literacy can greatly reduce one’s options in adulthood.
These are just two examples of the many great real-world learning opportunities that our students have throughout our system. The 21st century is about learning to create, solve problems and communicate. In order for our students’ education to be rigorous, relevant and relational, we must be committed to leaving the educational methods of the past behind and embracing the new learner and new world that awaits our students. This new learner demands that learning be real, practical and hands on, and the new world demands it too.