New Pedagogies for Deep Learning

Summary

The 'New Pedagogies for Deep Learning' initiative emphasizes a transformative approach to education, fostering new relationships among students, teachers, and families. It focuses on six key competencies—character education, citizenship, collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking—to prepare students for a complex world. With a 'middle-out' leadership model, the initiative has seen unexpected bottom-up momentum, where empowered students and teachers drive change. This system-wide shift aims for sustainable educational reform, engaging students as change agents, impacting learning environments, and inspiring societal contributions from a young age.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The 'New Pedagogies for Deep Learning' initiative aims to transform teaching and learning through new relationships among students, teachers, and families.
• 🎓 'Deep Learning' focuses on deeper learning outcomes, emphasizing the use of the 'Six C's: Character, Citizenship, Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, and Critical Thinking.
• 🏫 The initiative is about systemic change, not just individual schools or districts, aiming for 100% system-wide implementation.
• 🌐 It involves a global scale, with participation from schools in Ontario, California, New Zealand, and other countries, totaling a thousand schools.
• 🔧 The approach is innovative and emergent, with development occurring through a 'living laboratory' model where schools and districts collaborate.
• 👥 Leadership from the middle is key, as top-down change is less effective; districts serve as the glue that connects schools in this initiative.
• 👇 There is a significant 'bottom-up' force, where empowered students and teachers are driving change upwards within the educational system.
• 💪 Students are described as 'change agents', influencing pedagogy and learning environments, and becoming active contributors to societal change.
• 🌱 The initiative liberates students, making them more engaged with school, life, and making a difference, especially through character education and citizenship.
• 🌐 Students are encouraged to think globally and act locally, with a focus on helping humanity and contributing to their communities from a young age.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the 'New Pedagogies for Deep Learning' initiative?

The main focus is on transforming teaching and learning through new learning relationships among students, teachers, and families, and achieving deeper learning outcomes for students.

What are the 'Six C's' mentioned in the script?

The 'Six C's' are Character Education, Citizenship, Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, and Critical Thinking.

How do the 'Six C's' relate to 21st-century learning skills?

Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, and Critical Thinking are often referred to as the 21st-century learning skills, while Character Education and Citizenship are additional components that enhance the curriculum.

What does the 'NPD' acronym stand for in the context of the script?

NPD stands for 'New Pedagogies for Deep Learning', which is the initiative's full name.

Why is 'Leadership from the Middle' considered important in the initiative?

Leadership from the Middle is important because top-down change doesn't work effectively. It's believed that change initiated at the district level can better facilitate transformation across schools.

What unexpected force has emerged from the implementation of new pedagogies?

The unexpected force is the 'bottom-up' push for change, where students and teachers are driving the demand for transformation in education.

How does the initiative view the role of students in the transformation process?

Students are seen as empowered agents of change, influencing pedagogy and the learning environment, and becoming active participants in societal change.

What is the significance of character education and citizenship in the initiative?

Character education and citizenship are significant as they help students become more caring, engaged with life, and motivated to make a difference in the world.

What is the goal for the implementation of the 'Six C's' across schools?

The goal is to ensure that all students and teachers engage deeply with the 'Six C's, leading to system-wide change that is sustainable and impactful.

How does the initiative define 'system change'?

System change refers to the transformation that affects the entire educational system, including all schools within a province, state, or country, ensuring that 100% of schools are involved.

What is the role of students as 'change agents' in the context of the initiative?

Students as change agents are those who influence pedagogy, learning environments, and societal change, advocating for more opportunities for active learning and contributing to their communities.