Larrakeyah Primary School is an innovative, forward thinking school. The school's commitment to 21st Century Learning is about using technology to take learning and achievement to levels that were not once possible in the traditional classroom.
The school's curriculum embeds the effective use of technology to support learning. Teachers and students are focused on capturing new and innovative ideas and engaging in challenging and interesting learning situations. This learning is about being more open to new ideas and challenges, having the capacity to solve a range of problems, and being able to apply knowledge, skills and understanding to new situations and come to personal realisations.
Our recently completed ICT classroom has provided the students with access to the technologies and specialised teachers to help them learn skills in computer coding, robotics, movie making, animation and developing their digital citizenship. In classrooms students have access to iPads, laptops and desktop computers. Classrooms are air-conditioned to ensure learning spaces are comfortable and support learning and our flexible learning spaces at Larrakeyah Primary School bring out creativity in all students.
Underlying the school commitment to technology is its emphasis on developing critical thinking, on being able to write for sustained and appropriate periods of time, on public speaking, effective social skills, self-fulfilment, physical activity and being able to concentrate whilst learning.
21st Century Skills and Competencies
The ‘Three Rs' simply aren't enough. Our students need new skills to prepare them for further study and jobs – many of which have not yet been created. They need skills we call the 4Cs: Creativity, Communication, Collaboration and Critical Thinking. Using the ‘4Cs' to engage our students is essential to our approach to 21st Century Learning at Larrakeyah Primary School
The Importance of Critical Thinking – solving problems.
Teaching critical thinking and problem solving is vital for our students. Critical thinking is at the core of most intellectual activity that involves students learning to recognise or develop an argument, use evidence in support of that argument, draw reasoned conclusions, and use information to solve problems. Examples of critical thinking skills include interpreting, analysing, evaluating, explaining, sequencing, reasoning, comparing, questioning, inferring, hypothesising, appraising, testing and generalizing.
The Importance of Communication – understanding & communicating ideas.
Communication is one of the key components of 21st Century learning. Communication competence involves digital communication, interpersonal, written and oral communication. Through the curriculum, students at Larrakeyah Primary School aren't expected to explain their thinking, persuade others of their opinions, and engage readers and listeners. Students develop these skills not only with words but also with graphic and multimedia elements.
The Importance of Collaboration – working with others.
Collaboration is often identified as one of the most critical skills in the 21st Century. It is also fundamental to active learning. The development of collaborative skills is itself an important learning objective and secondly, research conclusively shows that well-designed collaborative activities contribute to improved learning. Incorporating collaboration at Larrakeyah Primary School is enhanced through our flexible classroom spaces. Students have spaces where they can meet with each other and have the tools that support the kinds of thinking that helps them learn.
The Importance of Creativity – thinking outside the box.
Creativity is recognised as a critical skill for twenty-first century learners. We need minds that can actively deconstruct, mix thoughts and ideas, draw parallels and find insights. Creative minds ask the un-asked questions and it is these skills that will be valued in the twenty-first century. Creativity flourishes in an environment where students can take risks and fail, where they have options about what they learn, how they learn, and how to demonstrate what they have learned.
