Synthesizing+21st+Century+Learning+at+ICHS

Having analysed the precepts of both 21st Century Learning and Brain-Based Education, it is now time to consider how these to paradigm will be implemented within the Curriculum of the International Charter High School.

The essential problem that is faced in education today is that we, as educators, are preparing students for an ever-changing world. We are 'training' individuals for jobs that may not currently exist, in a society that we cannot accurately predict, and may be fundamentally unrecognizable. We can no longer approach our roles as Teachers, Administrators, or School Board members, from the mindset that we alone know what students need to know. The nature of the globalized world in which we, and to an even greater degree, our students inhabit, is one where opportunities for learning are available and accessible to anyone, anywhere, as long as they have the tools and capacities to access them constructively.

Know thyself...
To return to the Mission Statement, one of the primary goals of ICHS will be to encourage student reflection. This will also take into account the previously mentioned ideas of Brain-Based education, by giving students the tools to understand their own individual learning styles, and encouraging them to actively participate in developing class activities that allow them to properly benefit from this.

This idea also lends itself to the importance of Relationship-Driven Teaching, which will be encouraged at all levels at ICHS. In order to fully engage and benefit from this reflection, students must be surrounded by a safe learning environment, in which they feel comfortable experimenting with new approaches to learning. Educational Risk-Taking, which is a fundamental concept of the International Baccalaureate's Learner profile is something that will be fostered in all students, and teachers. For your reference, please refer to the following link to review the IB Middle Years program Learner Profile, as I believe that is encompasses many of the aspects required for fostering

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This approach will require participation and buy-in from teachers, in the sense that they will have to help students recognize what works best for them, as well as provide the flexibility in Curriculum planning, as well as Assessment to allow for this to happen. This will be addressed further on in the presentation.

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