Big Picture - 21st century learning for 21st century living

Big Picture Education is a model for 21st century learning

The United Kingdom's Innovation Unit has nominated Big Picture Education as one of ten school models that are truly designed for the future.

The Innovation Unit is an independent, not-for-profit social enterprise, committed to advancing practice and improving outcomes in public services that grew out of the UK Education Department.

They are searching for ideas and models for the future of education.

And they found Big Picture.

21st century Learning and Living

The Innovation Unit argues that we need a new design for schools and learning for the new world.

The 21st century has begun and the living is so very different from before. Now, amongst other issues, we experience rapid change, waves of information, financial upheaval, an emphasis on environment, and personalisation of many aspects of life.

So, 21st century living requires 21st century learning.

The Innovation Unit suggests that it is time to re-think what, how and where we learn.

Learners will need skills like analysing, evaluating, and synthesising information, and problem solving. They'll need sophisticated social and emotional skills.

So, where can students gain these skills?

The Innovation unit identified Big Picture as one of the designs for the new century.

You can read more at their site here - http://www.innovationunit.org/knowledge/our-ideas/21st-century-education

Big Picture: a Design for 21st century Learning

Big Picture learning design supports young people to become lifelong learners, productive workers and engaged human beings.

The Big Picture learning design includes:

  1. ACADEMIC RIGOUR: 'HEAD, HEART AND HAND'
  2. LEARNING IN THE COMMUNITY
  3. ONE STUDENT AT A TIME
  4. AUTHENTIC ASSESSMENT
  5. COLLABORATION FOR LEARNING
  6. LEARNING IN ADVISORY
  7. TRUST, RESPECT AND CARE
  8. EVERYONE'S A LEADER
  9. FAMILIES ARE ENROLLED TOO
  10. CREATING FUTURES
  11. TEACHERS AND LEADERS ARE LEARNERS TOO
  12. DIVERSE AND ENDURING PARTNERSHIPS

Big Picture in Australia

Big Picture is growing fast in Australia. People 'get it'. Parents enrol, students work hard, teachers gain satisfaction and the community sees progress.

Big Picture Education Australia (BPEA) is a not-for-profit social enterprise with two clear goals:

  1. Starting innovative and successful schools in partnership with government
  2. Influencing the practice of education.

Our current status is:

  • 6 years old
  • 34 schools and programs across the country
  • Involves thousands of students, citizens and families.
  • City, country, rural and remote schools
  • Significant government and philanthropic support


See for yourself about 21st century learning. Contact us for information or to have a look at how Big Picture works.

A big invitation...

Partner with us to create

21st Century Learning for 21st Century Living