Acknowledgments Introduction 1. A Quick Look Back The Agricultural Age The Industrial Age The Information Age American Childhood Education Through the Ages 2. The Current Landscape of Education in America A System Out of Sync Not Your Forefather's College Learning - and Relearning - to Work Holding Our Own in the Global Classroom Facing the Issues and Shifting the Vision Change Visions: From Train to Rocket 3. A Look Ahead The Shift Age The Twenty-First Century 2010 to 2020: The Transformation Decade Change Visions: The Need for New 4. Generations Baby Boomers: The Bridge Generation Generation X: A Different Voice Millennials: The Emerging Leaders Digital Natives: Today's and Tomorrow's Students Change Visions: Reconnecting 5. Why Transformation Is the Only Path A Change in Form A Change in Appearance A Change in Nature Signals From the Future Change Visions: The New Architecture of Learning 6. Working on the Shift Ed Vision Jim Rex Peter Renwick Janice Mattina Karen Woodward 7. Ask the Right Questions Technology and Connectivity Calendar and Operations Curriculum Learning and the Brain Infrastructure and the Physical Plant Answering the Questions Preparing Teachers Your Contribution Change Visions: Survival Skills for the Twenty-First Century 8. Expand the Vision The New Vision of Education for the Twenty-First Century Four Fundamentals for Twenty-First-Century Education 9. Start Now! The Shift Ed 21 Parting - But Not Final - Words Notes References Index
"America needs a new educational vision. Shift Ed provides a clear vision that emphasizes the essential ingredients of a 21st-century education based upon creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. Houle and Cobb make a great case that nothing less than transformation will be enough." -Dan Pink, Author "As an educator, I highly recommend this book on the transformation of K-12 education. Old ways, repeating the past, and no change are hallmarks of a broken system? Shift Ed outlines the case for building a new system of K-12 education." -Jerry Ice, President and CEO, Graduate School, Washington D.C. "The strength of this book is the strong case the authors make for change. They point out how our nation is falling behind in the quest for global supremacy and outline the changes needed to correct that problem." -Randel Beaver, Superintendent, Archer City ISD, TX A comprehensive guide to transforming American schools Futurist David Houle and educational strategist Jeff Cobb issue a "call to action" to everyone who is concerned about education in America. The book begins with a helpful background on the roots of American education, the current landscape, and the forces that are driving transformation. This background supports the author's case that reinventing our system is inevitable and we already have the information and capabilities to make the necessary changes. Shift Ed challenges us to ask the right questions, expand our vision, and take action now. The book includes an overview of the educational system and expert opinions on key areas, including: Technology and connectivity Organizational behavior Curriculum Learning and the brain Infrastructure and the physical plant Shift Ed is more than a book for educators. Its message is critical for policy makers, school superintendents, education foundation executives, and parents who want to know the facts and be prepared to take the decisive action our children deserve.
David Houle is a futurist, speaker, and strategist. He has been called "the CEO futurist" and "the emerging futurist in the world today." He is the author of The Shift Age, has delivered more than 250 speeches around the world in the last three years, including numerous education conferences, and has made a commitment to help shape the vision of education for this century. Jeff Cobb is a strategist, writer, and speaker on the social and economic impact of new technologies. He has established himself as one of the leading thinkers on "Learning 2.0"?the blending of social media and open collaboration with traditional education?and is a vocal advocate of "cradle to grave" lifelong learning.