Lifeworthy Learning

The universe of education is expanding. In more and more schools, new themes are claiming time and space. Educators are calling for more attention to large-scale human problems like global warming and worldwide poverty, as well as more emphasis on skills like problem solving and collaboration. Digital communications and efficient travel systems have made the world smaller today than ever before. Paradoxically, smaller in connectedness means bigger in complexity and responsibility.

Within this context of rapid change, many topics enshrined in the traditional curriculum don't seem to matter that much. These topics often appear in textbooks and pop up on exams, but it's unclear how they contribute to a thriving contemporary life. Teachers and school leaders often find themselves asking a fundamental question: What learning really matters for today's learners?