  In this paper, we discuss a general multiscale model reduction framework
based on multiscale finite element methods. We give a brief overview of related
multiscale methods. Due to page limitations, the overview focuses on a few
related methods and is not intended to be comprehensive. We present a general
adaptive multiscale model reduction framework, the Generalized Multiscale
Finite Element Method. Besides the method's basic outline, we discuss some
important ingredients needed for the method's success. We also discuss several
applications. The proposed method allows performing local model reduction in
the presence of high contrast and no scale separation.
