Giving Compass' Take:

· In a podcast by Getting Smart, Michael Fullan emphasizes how encouraged he is by the global momentum towards adopting deep learning strategies and policies, pushing against standardized testing.

· How is deep learning different than standardized testing? Is it a better strategy for future student success?

· Read about learning engineering to create a more powerful education model.

Michael Fullan is Canada’s gift to education. For half a century and with 45 books to his credit, Fullan has been the world’s most persistent and persuasive advocate for powerful learning experiences.

What should high school graduates know and be able to do? Fullan sees 2018 as a transformational year for this question. He laments the fact that it is still easy to get good grades, graduate from high school and not be good at life.

Fullan thinks the focus should be “life readiness” rather than college and career readiness. He thinks it’s the nexus of our time. He points to six Cs, the new global competencies: character, citizenship, collaboration, communication, creativity and critical thinking.

He’s encouraged by the move away from standardized assessment but admits we’re not very good at certifying the new six Cs. The sector will be in transition while assessment improves.

“Measurement is tricky,” said Fullan. And early solution won’t be universally appealing, but he is pleased that it has become a priority for the OECD. He sees progress in Ontario, British Columbia, and New Zealand. The added benefit of progress is that building better measures drives better practice said Fullan.

Listen to the podcast about the progress being made around deep learning at Getting Smart.