How do we prepare our students to be successful in a global economy where entire jobs can move anywhere in the world?

During the 1990’s we created telecommunications capacity for virtually free global communication. This means that any desk job, in professions such as law, architecture, engineering, instructional design, and computer science, can move anywhere in the world where services are cheaper, faster, and/or of higher quality.

What are we doing to help our students prepare for the realities of globalization?

In short, we need to prepare students to be fearless learners. We need to help them build skills to be self-directed, self-motivated and have the ability to collaborate in a global arena. Once students graduate, the ability to learn anywhere, anytime and with anybody will be highly valued skills. As well, the ability to be confident in communicating anytime with anybody will be essential.

What can teachers start doing today to help prepare their students for the economic realities of tomorrow? One way is to think about redesigning the assignments we are currently giving them. Make them more real and more rigorous.

The first step is to model assignments that are similar to situations found in today’s workplace, where students are working on real problems with real people around the world. The second step is to make our assignments more rigorous and challenge students with projects that are meaningful to them.

This session will outline:

• Economic realities of the 21st Century global economy and how this applies to our students

• 21st Century skill sets - what students need to know before they graduate. For example, critical thinking, self-directed learning and the ability to communicate globally are three essential skills

• How teachers can start developing these skills and preparing students right now. Ideas and tips for everyday use that teachers can start implementing immediately

• The importance of re-designing assignments to make them more rigorous and global in nature. What does this type of assignment look like? What does it entail? What are the objectives? What about assessment?

• Communication tools that can help, such as blogs, wikis, podcasts and Skype. How, when and why to use them

• Examples of best practice around the world

• Designing assignments specific to your subject area and grade level. What might work for you?

Outline

1. Setting the Context: The Global Realities
2. Outline of 21st Century Skills
3. Best Practice: What's possible?
4. Rethinking Assignments: What can you do in your classroom?
5. Authentic Learning: Authentic Assessment

Supporting Research

The World is Flat - Thomas Friedman
Wikinomics - Don Tapscott and Anthony D. Williams
A Whole New Mind - Dan Pink

Presenter Background

Alan November is an international leader in education technology. He began his career as an oceanography teacher and dorm counselor at an island reform school for boys in Boston Harbor. He has been director of an alternative high school, computer coordinator, technology consultant, and university lecturer. He has helped schools, governments and industry leaders improve the quality of education through technology.

Audiences enjoy Alan's humor and wit as he pushes the boundaries of how to improve teaching and learning. His areas of expertise include planning across curriculum, staff development, new school design, community building and leadership development. He has delivered keynotes and workshops in all fifty states, across Canada, and throughout the UK, Europe, Asia and Central America.

Alan was named one of the nation’s fifteen most influential thinkers of the decade by Classroom Computer Learning Magazine. In 2001, he was listed one of eight educators to provide leadership into the future by the Eisenhower National Clearinghouse. His writing includes numerous articles and best-selling book, Empowering Students with Technology. Alan is a former ISTE board member, was co-founder of the Stanford Institute for Educational Leadership Through Technology and is most proud of being selected as one of the original five national Christa McAuliffe Educators.

Building Learning Communities Summer Conference
Each summer Alan leads a summer conference with world-class presenters and participants from all over the world. Visit novemberlearning.com for more details.