'Learning', not teaching, the key to education in 21st century

Renowned educationalist, Guy Claxton, says the traditional education system based on achievement through testing is quickly losing relevance for students and teachers alike. The keynote speaker at today's New Zealand Council of Educational Research (NZCER) annual conference in Wellington, Professor Claxton says that teaching lifelong 'learning' skills makes young people better equipped to face the challenges of modern society. "While achieving academically is important, young people resist the current education system and feel it is not adequately equipping them for the complexities of 21st century living. More importantly, many teachers share this view. I believe there needs to be a quantum shift in the way we teach young people, with teachers taking on a role as learning coaches rather than simply purveyors of knowledge. "Much of this work needs to be done at the foundation of the learning system - teacher education needs to focus on coaching new teachers how to vocalise the process of 'learning' to their students. "If this can be successfully achieved, there will be an inevitable domino effect on the way young people learn in the education system, and on their ability to develop and maintain a personal culture of learning. Interestingly, learning in this way often translates into higher academic achievement, so it is a classic 'win-win-win' for students, teachers and the education system as a whole". Professor Claxton says a focus on the 'four R's' - resilience, resourcefulness, reflection and relationships - give young people the keys to successful lifelong learning. "These skills need to be taught in the classroom first because they give people the disposition to continue learning for the rest of their lives. Finding practical ways to cultivate these skills in schools, and thereby encourage lifelong learning, is the most critical issue facing educators today".