A case study of the successes and challenges of opening a 21st century learning community for elementary students

Abstract

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] This qualitative study serves as a model description for school districts to learn from the successes and challenges faced by one Midwest American district's launch of an innovative, project-based elementary school learning community. The researcher gathered stakeholder perspectives on the support systems needed to create a successful 21st century learning environment through interviews, focus groups, and archival data. Stakeholders included administrators, teachers, and parents. The support systems analyzed included the learning environment, curriculum and instruction, and professional development. Results suggest that flexibility, learner centricity, and 21st century skills are critical to all measured aspects of this 21st century learning community.