The Mobile Learning Institute’s film series “A 21st Century Education” profiles individuals who embrace and defend fresh approaches to learning and who confront the urgent social challenges that are part of a 21st century experience. “A 21st Century Education” compiles, in short film format, the best ideas around school reform. The series is meant to start, extend, or nudge the conversation about how to make change in education happen.
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Steve Barr
The Takeover of Locke High School
In this film, Barr describes how Green Dot, a charter school network in Los Angeles, is using the takeover of Locke High School to show how small schools with high expectations can fundamentally change how public education is delivered.
James Dierke
Leadership Models for Urban Middle Schools
In this film, veteran San Francisco principal James Dierke proves that leadership, tenacity, consistency, teamwork, and an array of student-focused programs lay the groundwork for success in an inner-city middle school.
David T.C. Ellis
Essential Learning at High School for Recording Arts (“Hip Hop High”)
In this film, David T.C. Ellis recalls how his personal story led to the realization that music can entice young people to become lifelong learners. Hip Hop High invites kids back to school to rap, write, produce and perform.
Randall Fielding
Designing Schools for 21st Century Learners
In this film, architect Randall Fielding demonstrates the connection between where and how students learn in the 21st century.
Stephen Heppell
Empowering Young Learners
In this film, Heppell makes his way through London, describing his vision for schools, meeting with kids at the Be Very Afraid conference, and exploring ideas for classroom design in a technology pilot school in Teddington.
Jean Johnson and Notschool.net
Online Learning for Disaffected Youth
In this film, Notschool.net director Jean Johnson describes how and why Notschool works, and two of her researchers – Jamie and Jake – show how it has helped them turn their lives around.
Doug McCurry
The Success of Achievement First
In this film, Doug McCurry describes the ingredients that make Achievement First's schools work: excellent teachers, high expectations, school choice, and a school culture that makes learning possible.
George McKenna
Personalizing Public Education
In this film, veteran educator George McKenna ruminates on the fundamental ingredients of effective teaching – making direct connections with students, never giving up on them, and embracing teaching as a high calling.
Alan November
Myths and Opportunities: Technology in the Classroom
In this film, November challenges some of the accepted wisdom about technology in schools and proposes a scheme for enabling students to become more active participants in a 21st century classroom.
Larry Rosenstock
Project-based Learning at High Tech High
In this film, Larry Rosenstock, describes a vision for educaiton that blends the head, the heart, and the hands. High Tech High embraces learning that flows from personal interests, passion for discovery and a celebration of art, technology and craftsmanship.
Elliot Soloway and Cathie Norris
Educating the Mobile Generation
In this film, Soloway and Norris take a road trip through Texas and Louisiana to see firsthand how mobile devices are being used in schools.
Yong Zhao
No Child Left Behind and Global Competitiveness
In this film, Zhao, a university professor, argues for giving kids room to innovate by following their passions, not subscribing to a set of rules and interests dictated to them from the outside.