Walden University Blog

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The Framework of the 21st century skills has core subjects and 21st century themes at the center which is right where it needs to be. The 21st century learner is vastly different from those who came before him or her, and needs to have an authentic interaction with curriculum through instruction that is rigorous and grounded in real life, relevant, engaging experiences.

So how do we get there from here? Most of our 21st century teachers continue to teach in the same manner that they were taught. How were they taught? They were taught by teachers whose teachers themselves were prepared in the middle of the 20th century. While the world has changed dramatically, instruction for the most part has not.

Professional development is a critical component in helping new, and experienced teachers learn how to integrate instruction using 21st century themes that will allow core subjects to no longer be taught as isolated disciplines. A major part of our task is helping educators understand that what was successful for them in the 20th century is not adequate to prepare students for the exponential changes of the 21st century world they will inhabit. We’ve got out work cut out for us.