Education 3.0: Transforming education systems for the 21st century

Education has never been more important. The ability to prepare students to assume leadership for the global challenges we face is essential for both developed and emerging markets. Beyond academic success, learners will need to collaborate, to problem solve, and to be information literate like never before. But are system leaders equipping every learner for the 21st century. Many students live in multimodal, information-rich environments, yet education systems are slow to engage with them on their own terms, and to inspire them through rich learning experiences.

Cisco is at the forefront of a new movement to transform education systems to meet these challenges. Our vision of Education 3.0 is the next generation of education transformation that meets the needs of business and society and empowers learners to thrive in the 21st century.

Engaging with school systems worldwide

Cisco is working with educators and some of the world’s leading experts to develop, scale, and replicate successful models that promote global education system transformation. In China, Jordan, Mexico, and the United States, we are supporting system-wide change to engage the learner.

Watch some of our success stories:

• Cisco helped strengthen U.S. Gulf Coast schools devastated by Hurricane Katrina through a holistic program of system transformation to improve student performance in eight school districts.
• With the help of Cisco, the Jefferson Parish Public School System in Louisiana has transformed the district by rethinking education from the ground up.
• The New York City iSchool is an innovative high school for the 21st century with a new learning environment that is relevant to adolescents.

Developing leadership to transform the system

Today’s school leaders function like CEOs, they are responsible for multimillion dollar budgets, hundreds of employees, and thousands of children. They must balance academic goals with administrative requirements and sound business management. Their technology investments must deliver academic, administrative, and operational value. Cisco is well known for its change management capabilities and ability to scale.

The following resources have been developed to support leaders with the business of education:

• GETideas.org – a public service website and online community for education leaders worldwide, providing a platform for informed dialog among thought leaders, policy makers, and practitioners.
• Global Education Leadership Program – launching in late 2009 this global program will train the next generation of education leadership to accelerate and sustain transformation efforts based on our Education 3.0 vision and framework.
• Conversations on Global Education Transformation – to help system leaders make informed decisions, this video on demand series addresses current education issues and presents timely solutions to challenging problems.

For more information, please contact us at globaIeducationinfo@cisco.com.