Future-Focused Learning - by Lee Crockett (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

When educators embrace student-centered learning, classrooms transform, authentic learning comes alive, and outcomes improve. A culmination of Lee Crockett's years of work with schools around the world, Future-Focused Learning details ten core shifts of practice-along with simple microshifts--you can use with your students immediately, regardless of your core curriculum or instructional pedagogy. These proven shifts offer a clear pathway for taking the great work you are already doing and making it exceptional.

Use this book to improve student-centered learning in the classroom and support authentic learning outcomes for the 21st century:

• Study over 50 specific examples of classroom microshifts that make the larger shifts in practice simple to achieve as a collective group.
• Connect the six essential fluencies--solution fluency, information fluency, creative fluency, media fluency, collaboration fluency, and global digital citizenship--to the shifts of practice that develop students' key 21st century skills and higher-order thinking.
• Explore topics in student-centered learning competencies such as project-based learning, essential questions, STEM education, and digital skills.
• Learn why fostering connections to learning --from improved emotional connections to the value of clear learning intentions--improve student-centered learning outcomes and higher-order thinking.
• Improve formative assessment practices to be more mindful, ask the essential questions, and further student engagement by involving them in the assessment process.

Review Quotes

'Most educators would agree that student ownership and agency are essential elements of deep, meaningful student learning. This book creates philosophical and practical clarity for any educator or education system who truly wants to graduate lifelong learners. Lee Crockett cuts through the rhetoric and provides insights and practical strategies that have the potential to significantly accelerate student learning.'

Dr Anthony Muhammad, educational speaker, presenter, and author

'If students are to become their own teachers, they need the skills, evaluative thinking and opportunities to develop a deep passion for learning. Gaining such agency rarely happens by chance; it needs systematising of the belief that it is important to teach students to become their own teachers and ensuring there is joy in the worthy struggle of this learning. Crockett's Lesson Zero and beyond are powerful methods to enact agency based on the premise there is no perfection, yet it was perfect in the moment that was. O this learning, what a thing it is!'

John Hattie, laureate professor emeritus at Melbourne Graduate School of Education, The University of Melbourne, and chair of the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership board

'Lee uses his personal journey, his global experience and the literature to shape a seamless and practical argument that we can "do" the fundamentals of learning and teaching differently. If we start with learners and focus on their journeys, we can reframe school experiences, making them relevant and centred on preparing our young people for their futures, not our past.'

Professor John Fischetti, pro vice-chancellor of the College of Human and Social Futures, The University of Newcastle

'Engagement of learners is so important in our schools, but there are many compelling reasons to move students from an initial position of engagement to something much more powerful and meaningful. In Agents to Agency, Lee Crockett skilfully sets out a practical blueprint to support educators with the necessary "how" for equipping, empowering and enabling young people to transform their own lives through amplifying learner voice, agency and advocacy in our schools and, ultimately, society.'

Adriano Di Prato, educator, former deputy principal, co-founder of a School for tomorrow. and co-author of Game Changers: Leading Today's Learning for Tomorrow's World

'I am such a fan of the brilliant writing and work of Lee Crockett. In Agents to Agency, Crockett provides an illustrative roadmap of "destinations, milestones and footsteps" with exceptional clarity for developing student agency over their learning. I have planted his Lesson Zero flag into all of our mathematics lesson design work. The book offers a brilliant, practical and precise rationale, structure and process for us to follow.'

Dr Timothy D Kanold, award-winning educator, author of books including HEART! and SOUL!