Next Gen Approach

Video Transcription

Hello, ladies and gentlemen. I hope you're having a wonderful day today. Today, we're going to go ahead and take a look at the Next Gen approach. And for today's lesson, I've chosen a quote by Benjamin Franklin which states, "The discovery of what is true and the practice of that which is good are the two most important objects of philosophy." And that is a quote by Benjamin Franklin that applies so nicely to what we're going to be looking at today.

Now, by the end of today's lesson, you will be able to first define next generation learning. Second, you'll be able to identify the six elements required to bring about next generation learning. And finally, you'll be able to really describe the goals for next generation learning.

Now, first and foremost, let's go ahead and take a look at what next generation learning is. Next generation learning really refers to the idea that we are going to engage students with the instruction so that we can enable a greater potential for that learning to occur and the achievement as opposed to some of those past instructional approaches so really looking at that potential for learning and achievement.

Now, next generation learning incorporates a number of different features of personalized learning, as well as competency-based instruction. And all of this works to really hopefully ideally bring about the next generation of learning. That's what we're looking at today.

So within the Next Gen approach, there are six elements that have been identified and required, the first of which is that we have clearly-defined learning goals. What we mean here is that students are really engaging with those learning goals. The teacher is still the one defining them. But they're clear so the students can take them, get ownership over them, and really help enable that deeper learning. These are goals that are in designed to help prepare them for college and career readiness.

The second required element is that the measurement of progress towards those goals. So what we're looking at here is the idea that teachers are really using those frequent formative and then summative assessments to determine whether or not the student has reached mastery of a certain competency. Ideally, that measurement and assessment, it also has that ownership of the student so that they're really able to see that formative learning as something that they're working towards.

The third required element is that personalized element or the competency-based learning models. When we look at those, both of those models really hone in on a type of learning that includes and embeds technology within the learning process.

It becomes a crucial part of that learning, but also helps to support and provide various resources for some more traditional elements of learning so really bridging those two things together, the idea that technological support is being given through those technologies, that instruction is becoming better based on the technology, and that students are incorporating technology into their own personal use, all of that working to help provide students the ability and the help that they need to really master those competencies and get as deep into their learning as they can.

The fourth required element is that effective implementation of new learning models-- so really focusing in on teachers and students going in in a whole systematic approach. This goes from changing the role of teachers to encouraging students to be more flexible and the entire school system to look at that scheduling and make adjustments as needed to help ensure that the infrastructure is in place to support the learning of each individual student, not just the seat time that they are in the class.

The fifth required element is enabling new learning models to be implemented. So what this looks at here is conditions for both the school system, as well as within the community, so that new learning model can really be included. So where one is really focusing in on the teachers and the students, this one is focusing in on the school system and the community as a whole.

And then finally, that rapid implementation of the most effective models. This might look a little different depending on where you are teaching. So it really calls for every school and community to look at what's going to work best within their community

Next, I want to take a look at some of those goals for the Next Gen teaching and learning. When we look at these goals, we see first that students should be able to obtain a wide range of content knowledge. The goal with implementing these various new learning elements is that students are able to get both deeper and broader with this element of differentiation so that students can really expand what it is that they're learning.

Students should also be mastering those 21st century skills and competencies both looking at the way in which we think, so some of those cognitive competencies, as well as the way we communicate with others, those interpersonal competencies, and finally, the way in which we are incorporating the intrapersonal competencies, so looking at ourself as an individual, as well as our community as a whole, and then what we need to know in order to be those confident 21st century citizens.

The third learning goal is that that learning should really be personalized, the idea that it's not only personalized, but it's rooted in those competencies, and that we offer students the opportunity to either participate fully online or in more of a blended learning environment so that they can be actively involved, asking those deep questions, collaborating with those around them so that they're really honing in on making that learning personal to them.

And finally, the final goal is that all learners should have the support that they need. This comes in many different forms. This could be academic support. It could be social support. It could be personal support, whatever that student needs in order to really have equal access to the content and the skills that they need, that we're making that happen.

That's where a lot of those elements come in where we're looking at students being able to be actively involved. The inquiry-based elements of the Next Gen approach really help bring all of the students together in that collaborative learning environment.

Now that we've reached the end of the lesson, you are able to define next generation learning. You're able to identify the six major elements required to bring about that next generation learning. And you've been able to describe the goals for next generation learning.

Now I want you to take just a moment for reflection. As you think back on all that you've learned about the Next Gen approach, what do you think would be the most difficult part of incorporating some of those required elements of Next Gen learning into your classroom?

To dive a little deeper and learn how to apply this information, be sure to check out the additional resources section associated with this video. This is where you will find links targeted toward helping you discover more ways to apply this course material.