Schools of the Future: Content, Curriculum and the Physical Space

Report Overview

Across the U.S., school districts are embracing the concept of future-ready schools, or schools that are rooted in the 21st Century Learning Framework. In such schools, teachers’ and students’ roles are reversed—students take a greater role in directing their own progress through a unique learning path, while teachers become guides and mentors. This report, Schools of the Future, examines the characteristics of future-ready schools, gleaned through the experiences of those who have implemented key components, and provides a look at where the U.S. is today in transforming the current education system into the schools of the future.

Schools of the Future, Part 1: Curriculum and Content focuses on the changing curriculum and content needs of future-ready schools, the changing roles of teachers and learners and how that changes the demand for instructional materials.

Schools of the Future, Part 2: The Physical Space looks at the interaction of learning and the physical environment and the role that changing the learning environment can have in how teachers teach and children learn. Learning environments are changing both through new construction and redesign of existing spaces.

Technology is a key aspect of the school of the future, although it does not drive learning. Rather it is a support and a tool that is used for a specific purpose rather than “for technology’s sake.” In a future-ready school, solving a particular problem may require technology one moment and Popsicle sticks and glue the next.

That said, personalized education, where each student works on unique problems and projects, tackles new subjects at his or her own pace, and moves forward only when reaching competency, goes hand-in-hand with technology. The ultimate goal is for schools to implement 1:1 programs where all children are in reach of a tablet or other mobile device 24/7, no matter where they are, and are never far from digital resources.

Schools of the Future looks at the spaces designed for learning as well as the shifts in curriculum, educators' role in learning, and learning models and materials.