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Leading with Data, Research, and Heart

Vision: 21st-Century Whole Child Education at EBI

10/7/2019

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My previous blog entry focused  the research-based educational framework that would guide our vision and work going forward as we write EBI’s next chapters together. This framework calls for four dimensions of learning to prepare future-ready students: knowledge, skills, character, and meta-learning. The aim of the model is to highlight the urgent need of educational institutions to prepare students for an unpredictable future in this rapidly changing world. This is exactly why I strongly believe that as the world becomes smaller due to globalization, EBI will continue to become bigger, stronger, and more relevant because of its mission and core values.
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I am incredibly excited to share the EBI vision for 21st-Century Whole Child Education, which was also aligned with input from faculty and staff (Figure 2). The vision synthesizes the outstanding work that the faculty and staff have already been doing around the four dimensions of the aforementioned framework, while also providing clear direction towards advancing the mission and building in specific areas. Likewise, the EBI model spotlights the extraordinary story and value of our school. Below, you can find the initial iteration of our model. 
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 © 2019 Paola V. Clark for Escuela Bilingüe Internacional. All Rights Reserved.
 EBI’s mission, values, and programming are not only in complete alignment with the research-based educational framework for 21st-century education, but are also more extensive and comprehensive. From our model, we can clearly see how each of the four dimensions of learning is supported by our core values, IB PYP and MYP programs, and enhanced by our immersion and multilingual pedagogies. Together, they provide the teaching and learning approaches used at EBI to develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and beliefs necessary. One clear distinction is that our model has an additional fifth component: the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) continuum as an overarching frame for our entire educational approach. I eagerly look forward to sharing in more detail the work being accomplished to successfully attain our vision-guided journey to 21st-century teaching and learning throughout the school year. For more information, please read the message shared via Constant Contact on Sunday.

Thank you for the privilege of being a part of your child’s educational journey. EBI is committed to delivering educational excellence by taking action to address the programmatic needs of today and those that are yet to come tomorrow. Teaching and learning at EBI is distinctively engaging, global, and inspiring. I am very proud of the pages that we have written together thus far and beyond excited for what we will continue to accomplish by collaboratively working together. 
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Reframing 21st-Century Education

9/16/2019

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During Back-to-School Night, I presented the framework for 21st-century whole child education that EBI will use to frame and guide our academic programming going forward.
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We live in a fast-changing world and are facing unprecedented challenges—social, economic, and environmental—driven by accelerating globalization and increased rate of technological developments. The future is uncertain, and we have the duty to prepare students for a rapidly changing world.​

What do students need to learn for the 21st century? 
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Figure 1. Framework for 21st Century Education (adapted from Fadel, Bialik & Trilling (2015), P21 (2007), & OECD (2017)).
We define four interconnected dimensions or spaces of education (Figure 1). The competencies needed include more than just the acquisition of knowledge and skills; they also involve the mobilization of knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values to meet complex demands. 
  • Knowledge: having deep knowledge is more important than ever. There is a focus on interdisciplinarity and traditional knowledge (math, language arts, history) is augmented by modern disciplines (STEAM, robotics, wellness).
  • Skills: how we use what we know (critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, and cultural competency).
Future-ready students have both broad and specialized knowledge and skills and are versatile.
  • Well-being/Character and SEL Programming: how we engage the world. This dimension encompasses all of the terms: agency, attitudes, behaviors, dispositions, mindsets, personality, temperament, values, beliefs, social and emotional skills, non-cognitive skills, and soft skills.Guided by our mission and core values we seek to build communities of belonging and caring. 
  • Meta-Learning: Awareness of how we learn through reflection and a growth mindset. Teaching with knowledge of brain-based learning.
The model provides a clear and actionable framework of competencies needed for this century.  The framework is a meta-synthesis of over 30 research-based frameworks that defines four dimensions or spaces in which to establish what should be learned, in their context and for their future.  
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This is exactly what is at the core of our mission and values, and what the EBI Difference is. As the world becomes smaller due to globalization, EBI becomes bigger, stronger, and more relevant because of its mission and core values.

We are developing a vision using this framework to ensure we are providing the best possible education. I have chosen to affectionately name the vision “Our Journey to 21st Century Teaching and Learning”.  The word “journey” represents our lifelong commitment to continuous improvement over time. We are committed to delivering educational excellence and recognize that the continuous redesign and update of our programming is key to fulfilling our mission and provide the best possible educational experience to our students.

Teaching and learning at EBI is distinctively engaging, global, and inspiring. This is possible thanks to our
talented faculty and staff, who have an unwavering commitment and dedication to their students. Wholehearted thanks to our teachers for the inspiring work they do every day. 
References
​Fadel, C. , Bialik, M., & Trilling, B. (2015). Four-Dimensional education: The competencies learners need to succeed. Boston: MA, The Center for Curriculum Redesign.
P21 Partnership for 21st Century Learning. (2007). Framework for 21st century learning. Retrieved from http://www.p21.org/about-us/p21-framework
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (2017). OECD Work on education and skills. Retrieved from https://www.oecd.org/edu/Directorate-for-education-and-skills-brochure.pdf


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    Dr. Paola V. Clark

    International Educational Leader

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