Getting Started
Real World Learning is an approach to learning that involves schools working with community partners and industry experts to engage students in authentic, relevant problems, projects, and experiences that develop career awareness and readiness.
When students participate in learning experiences where they can engage with authentic audiences and purposes, they see that their academic work has meaning beyond the walls of the classroom.
Implementing Real World Learning can be a daunting endeavor. To help and support you in your decision-making process we’re providing sets of unique resources:
The Builder
Strategies for administrators who are implementing real world learning school- and district-wide
The Strategic Framework Builder
Digital Promise’s Real World Learning Builder enables school and district leaders to develop their Real World Learning strategy and implementation plan. Complete self-assessments to establish benchmarks for each of the 7 pillars in the Real World Learning Framework, then select strategies to support growth.
A plan for Real World Learning encompasses 7 components:
Vision
Defining Real World Learning, intended outcomes, and aligning to strategic initiatives
We consider the Vision pillar to be key: All stakeholders should have a shared definition and vision of what they hope to achieve by implementing Real World Learning.
Implementation
Team building, consensus building, and communications
Community Partners
Formal, strategic partnerships with community organizations to promote mutual goals
Curriculum
Design and revision to integrate Real World Learning experiences for students
Measures
Quantitative and qualitative tools to evaluate the impact of Real World Learning and support continuous improvement
Professional Learning
Scaffolded supports to increase teachers’ understanding of 21st century career demands and enhance their ability to effectively implement Real World Learning
Support Structures
Resources, policies, and funding to facilitate Real World Learning implementation
Each component offers a set of strategies to help teams address key questions.
Guiding Question
A key decision point for teams
Decision Cards
Decisions that teams can make, based on examples from the field
Considerations
Factors to consider when weighing decisions
Links
Supporting resources and examples to provide further insight
The Roadmap
Digital Promise’s Real World Learning Roadmap provides turn-by-turn guidance to help educators and community partners collaborate on Real World Learning experiences for students.
Each of the 14 Real World Learning destinations in the Roadmap includes:
Overview
Step-by-step guidance, checklists, and resources to help educators and partners plan, implement, and reflect upon Real World Learning activities.
Planning Guide
Activity description, objectives, outcomes, alignment to 21st century learning standards, logistics, and examples.
Examples
Voices from the field describing successful Real World Learning experiences.
Why It Matters
“Real World Learning provides students opportunities and experiences that open avenues to exploration, curiosity, and collaboration while gaining hands-on skills and problem-solving that they can use for a lifetime.”
Amy Woods, teacher
Real World Learning Resources
Get the supporting resources you need to make Real World Learning happen in your classroom, school, and district.
The resources include:
Engage students in authentic, relevant experiences and prepare them for a brighter future with Real World Learning.
