Entire schools are dedicated to teaching skills like learning how to create video games , whether it ’ s to boost brain power and multitasking skills , or to learn applied physics as they do at the New York school Quest to Learn . The idea is that the process of learning that skill can be put to use in the real world .
Watch for : State and nationwide assessments taking into account skills like critical thinking , communication and collaboration .
What these trends mean
Given the growing momentum of these trends , what does it mean for students , teachers , schools , and the education community at large ?
�
�
�
�
Collaborating and customizing . Educators are learning to work together , with their students , and with other experts in creating content , and are able to tailor it to exactly what they need .
Critical thinking . Students are learning how to effectively find content and to discern reliable sources .
Democratizing education . With Internet access becoming more ubiquitous , the children of the poorest people are able to get access to the same quality education as the wealthiest .
Changing the textbook industry . Textbook publishers are finding ways to make themselves relevant to their digital audience .
� Emphasizing skills over facts . Curriculum incorporates skill-building .
EXPLORE : BIG IDEAS , CULTURE , DIGITAL TOOLS , TEACHING STRATEGIES , GUIDE TO THE FUTURE SCHOOL