Jeff Mcmillan

What if ?; Learning for the Twenty First Century Jeff Mcmillan

We are now 10 years into the 21st century. Many global challenges are ahead of us. There is a need for citizens who are competent, engaged and responsible. What if our schools stopped "manufacturing" learners and started developing reflective thinkers capable of making wise, informed decisions? What if our educators started teaching students using the new understanding of the way learning is acquired? What if we gave students the confidence to monitor their own learning and the opportunity to learn in ways that met their specific needs? What if we could instil in every learner the mindset that anything is possible through hard work? What if we created citizens who were creative problem solvers, capable of deep critical thinking, respectful of diverse opinions and secure in their relations with others? What if we could develop learners who were capable of working together to find solutions to future problems and who could provide alternatives to avoid such catastrophes? It is time for our students to join the 21st century. I am excited at the possibilities of "What if?" I am terrified if we don't!