Curriculum 21

Education for a Changing World

For the better part of 100 years, the education system has made small adjustments while never really changing. Heidi Hayes Jacobs sees the opportunity for real change in the system using 21st century tools and ideas. Jacobs argues that, instead of reform, new versions of schools are needed for the 21st century classroom to be successful.

She proposes that schools set up task forces to examine what will work and what won't and base the curriculum on their conclusions. The task forces should look at four structures critical for success: schedule, grouping patterns of teachers, grouping patterns of students, and class size. Having these structures in place can ensure a solid learning environment, and coming up with fresh ideas will help shape the 21st century classroom.

Read the full chapter.