The traditional lecture style of teaching to students at individual desks arranged in single file rows may have been appropriate for the 20th century. However, the 21st century has brought about a very different type of a learner. The 21st century learner comes equipped with a vast array of capabilities and talents; trying to find one single method of instruction is impossible, and ineffectual. It is possible to reach different learners by tapping into the wide range of innovative educational alternatives for children, youth, and adults.

Service learning, distance learning, indigenous learning practices, and arts-based schools are a few examples of what is considered non-traditional. Traditional colonial methods to assimilate indigenous peoples into the dominant culture... (more)

The traditional lecture style of teaching to students at individual desks arranged in single file rows may have been appropriate for the 20th century. However, the 21st century has brought about a very different type of a learner. The 21st century learner comes equipped with a vast array of capabilities and talents; trying to find one single method of instruction is impossible, and ineffectual. It is possible to reach different learners by tapping into the wide range of innovative educational alternatives for children, youth, and adults.

Service learning, distance learning, indigenous learning practices, and arts-based schools are a few examples of what is considered non-traditional. Traditional colonial methods to assimilate indigenous peoples into the dominant culture has led to a frightening loss of many native practices, languages, and culture. One such example is the Maori people in New Zealand. The fight to revive indigenous practices had led to the establishment of schools like the Maori schools. Maori schools have taken a holistic, community-based approach to education to help revitalize native languages and culture. Such alternative forms of education enable individual members of a society to foster a strong sense of cultural pride, which in turn helps to promote the family and community bonds that are necessary for preserving the culture.

While critics of alternative schools claim that such schools are lacking in effective curriculum and instruction, other studies have shown that alternative schools have proven to be very successful for youth who feel disconnected with traditional schools. The disconnect from school and inability to relate, results in far too many youth dropping out of school. Alternative schools can help to reach those youth who feel disengaged from traditional schools and therefore increase enrollment and retention rates of marginalized students who have previously been neglected by the school system. Standardized national tests demonstrate that many students are learning and in some cases,, even doing better than children in more formal school settings. (wiki)