Somers Central School District Designing Schools for the 21 st Century

1. Somers Central School DistrictDesigning Schools for the 21st Century Presented to the Board of Education, January 12, 2010

2. Tonight’s purpose: • Consider the broader context of education in the United States. • Define ‘21st Century Learning’ as it relates to our schools • Share highlights from our schools/consider next steps

3. We are living in permanent white water The world is changing Our students are changing Technology is changing

4. Globalization has profoundly impacted our economy and has redefined workforce demands of a knowledge economy.

6. The nature of students is changing…

7. Today’s students are the most watched-over generation in history.

8. Today’s students think and learn differently… • Graphics oriented • Accustomed to rapid change and thrive on it. • Demand quick, if not instant, gratification. • Can access information instantly, though not adept at evaluating it. • Have “hypertext minds” that prefer to leap around rather than follow a linear thought process. *from Millenials Rising

9. Today’s students are ‘digital natives’… • Technology is at the very core of their existence. • Staying connected is essential. Carry an arsenal of electronic devices, the smaller the better. • The Web is the hub for all their activities, creating and sharing of content. • Prolific communicators who gravitate toward activities that promote and reinforce social interaction.

12. Environmental literacy

16. As we find ourselves in the midst of all of this, where exactly are we in the evolution of our district? Where are we headed?

17. This suggests a changing role for teachers… • assume varied roles as appropriate by modeling, facilitating, lecturing, demonstrating, coaching, observing, participating, encouraging, nurturing, guiding, listening, mentoring • work with individuals, small groups or large groups • differentiate instruction and assessment • set clearacademic and behavioral expectations • integrate technology

18. and a changing role of students… • Not only answer, but ask the right questions and solving new problems • Work in teams • Learn how to find, communicate and apply information • Demonstrate initiative and leadership • Manage their time and prioritize more effectively • Interact in a multimedia, graphics-based environment

20. “Education is the currency of the Information Age.” Barack Obama

21. National Education Agenda… • Transform curriculum and assessment with a ‘focus on thinking and performance skills in a 21st century society.’ • Incentives to redesign schools that are still based on an outmoded factory model • Create more personalized and engaging middle and high schools • Use technology to reinvent education. • Create ‘more productive models of education – charter schools’ • Increase teacher capacity/revamp teacher training

22. How is Somers responding to the call for 21st Century outcomes?

23. For the past 15 years, these goals have been evidenced in Somers’ Guiding Instructional Principles… All Children Can Learn Depth of Understanding vs. Quantity of Coverage Student as Active Learner

24. …and our ‘Desired Student Outcomes’. All students will become: • proficient readers, writers and communicators • complex thinkers problem solvers and decision makers • collaborative workers • quality producers • self-directed learners • effective users of technology • healthy and physically fit individuals • appreciative performers, audiences, and creators of the arts • understanding and accepting members of a diverse society and world as knowledgeable, responsible and involved citizens

25. In Somers, our work is defined by a cycle of continuous improvement

26. Our long-time focus has been on: • Project-based , student-centered learning • Performance based assessments • Focus on critical thinking skills, questioning, self-reflection • Cooperative learning/team building • Differentiated instruction • Use of technology as a key tool/resource for teaching and learning • Focus on learning ‘beyond classroom walls’ • Emphasis on global awareness and sustainability

27. Current initiatives: a few highlights… Focus on Math, Science and Technology • Tri-State Consortium review of K-12 Science • Examination of teaching and learning in our Math classrooms – real-world application of math skills as related to problem solving and integration with other curriculum areas • Expanded opportunities in Tech Ed, Media, Computer-based applied arts

28. Environmental literacy

29. https://www.edline.net/pages/Somers_CSD

31. SMS and SIS participating in a Education for Sustainability Curriculum Development Project via PNWBOCES region.

32. Outdoor education integrate learning – students are engaged in science, social studies, problem solving and collaborative learning projects as they expand the “walls” of our schools

35. In 7th Grade English Classes . . .

36. Siemens Challenge – MS Science

37. Tech Tools that help students identify their own learning styles in conjunction with global studies unit

38. Using technology to communicate and connect outside of our own district…

40. The Pepsi Project

41. Collaborative WIKI Experience 8th Grade Social Studies

42. World of Technology Applying problem solving skills to the deconstruction and re construction of a computer

43. High School Biology and Gizmos!

45. Technology Education, Green Power Club and Technology Student Association (TSA)with increased female involvement. S.T.E.M.

49. Collaboration with Jacob Burns Film Center’s Education department to explore media literacy in the Intermediate Grades. See Hear Feel Film teaches students active viewing skills and the techniques of telling a story through film. Participation in program design inititiative, Teaching and Technology in the Digital Age

50. Our ‘paperless initiative’ has helped us to communicate in ways that are more compatible with 21st Century Teaching and Learning –