Developing a Future Ready Classroom With the 4 Cs

Image by rawpixel.com

Future-ready classrooms need to do more than just "teach" content to learners. I am not saying that content doesn't matter, but I believe that our education system can do a better job using content to engage students in building and practicing essential skills. Instead of teaching content, use content to help students develop essential skills connected to learning and real life. 

Creativity is the foundation of most lessons and activities I design for my students. I try to be mindful that everything I create for my students needs to start with the idea that creating needs to be part of the learning process. In addition to creativity, I also place a high value on the related skills of collaboration, critical thinking, and communication.

I believe a focus on the 4 Cs not only helps my students learn, but it also helps my students practice essential life skills as we engage in and explore our content.

Today I want to share some resources we've curated to support the 4 Cs. We've also organized a free document that could be used to engage staff in some self-paced professional development opportunities connected to each of the 4 Cs.

1. Collaboration Resources - Students need the opportunity to work with their peers in both the physical and digital workspace. A classroom full of students with headphones on in front of their screens is a dull place no matter how engaging the activity might be. Students also need to learn that collaboration is more than divide and conquer. 
2. Communication Resources - Personal and digital communication are essential skills that we must develop in a learner-centered classroom. It is also crucial for students to learn how to communicate as "digital citizens". 
3. Critical Thinking Resources - If the students can "Google" the answer to a question, do I really need to be asking it? Students need to develop the skill to solve problems independently. They also need to learn how to critically explore digital text, images, videos, and more. Future-ready learners need to discover and explore new questions, not just search for answers.
4. Creativity Resources - Creating should be part of the learning process, not just a product at the end of the learning experience. Creativity in a 1 to 1 classroom is not just about creating artistic works. The best creative activities use digital tools to help students create as they learn.

Want to learn more or design a professional development experience connected to the 4 Cs?

Explore Additional Resources and Ideas in this Interactive HyperDoc for Educators Connected to the 4 Cs.

If you have a question or suggestion, please consider sharing it in the comments below. #AlwaysLearning #BetterTogether

Teaching and Learning Books