For class
this week we were asked to review a website, http://p21.org/
and give our reactions to the concept, what surprised us, if we disagree and
why, and any implications for my students or myself. After exploring the site and getting a deeper
understanding, I think it is a remarkable framework that should be taught and
applied in all aspects of our lives but we seem to be a bit disorganized or
just not on the same page across the country or even the world. We have to start teaching with this framework
now to prepare our children today for the future.
The Framework
for 21st Century Thinkers is a system of beliefs of teaching and
learning that combines skills, content, and literacies to prepare students in
multidimensional abilities in order to prepare them for a future that is not really
mapped out yet. The idea of it as
explained on the site is right on with understanding what’s going on, or not
going on, in the classroom and what our students will need to know to be
successful later in a job that is not yet created. How do we prepare them for the unknown?
Teachers are finding it difficult now with the accountability and the rigorous standards that we are required to teach and then school admins are adding more to our plates. I am sure new teachers reading this will be scared or thinking how can this be done.
Our country is so diverse in the education field. Schools
can be either one of the “haves” or the “have nots” as far as materials and
equipment. Applying this framework to
many schools is probably out of reach. I
think this framework should be taught in our universities now to teach the new
and younger teachers coming into this field.
Schools that can should teach their faculties this framework. We have to begin somewhere. I know I am more conscious now. I consider my school to be one of the “haves”
so I have had the access to technology and staff development that promotes 21st
century thinkers. Our district
implemented a program called “Working on the Work” or “WOW” created by Phillip Schlechty. It focuses on engaging students by adding critical thinking traits to lessons
and projects. The desired result is the
same.
The future is approaching faster than we can imagine and we
need to prepare our students to continue to make strides in all areas of
life. It is an overwhelming task but we
have to start, even if it is in small chunks.
It won’t happen overnight but we have to prepare them.
Partnership for 21st Century Skills. http://www.p21.org
Partnership for 21st Century Skills. http://www.p21.org
Nice post. I am lucky enough to be in a "have" school, but we still have long journey ahead of us to reach these 21st century skills! I agree that teacher preparation programs must focus on more technology and its use within the classroom to foster these critical thinking and communication skills so desparately needed by students to compete in the future workplace!
ReplyDeleteKristin
While receiving my undergrad three years ago, the technology focus was PowerPoint and Apple computers. We were not exposed to any of the tools we have been exposed to in this class. With that being said, I am sure there has been a few tweaks to the curriculum, as new technology has come out. One issue I imagine the universities run into is that if new technology comes out, they must see how the technology is being used in the classroom before teaching it to their undergrads. We will always be a few steps behind technology, as it takes a little time to learn what can be done with it.
ReplyDelete-Danielle
I agree that more training needs to take place in order to teach new educators how to integrate 21st Century Skills in the classroom, but I also feel that there needs to be additional funding provided to schools to purchase equipment and hold professional development for teachers to use the technology in the most effective way.
ReplyDeleteI currently feel our school is somewhere between the Haves and Have Nots. We do have SmartBoards in every classroom Pre K-12th grade and we have computer labs. We recently went to 1:1 computing with netbooks 5th-12th grades and just received a grant to purchase 5-6 iPads for each Pre K-4th grade classroom, however we are still in the beginning stages. At this point it feels like we jumped in without learning the basics of making sure our technology is sustainable or used effectively. Those of us who are comfortable with technology (and comfortable enough to le the students teach us about technology) must lead the way. We have to be the advocates in order to get other teachers and especially parents on board.
I agree with Danielle that the field of education will always be a few steps behind, but that is better than being miles behind. As educators we must commit to being life-long learners and altering our activities to increase our use of technology to better prepare our students for a successful future.
Deborah,
ReplyDeleteI think that across the board, it seems like trying to get technology integrated with content appears overwhelming, but necessary. The multidimensional skill sets that need to be taught to our students ensure that, along with being well-rounded individuals, they will be technologically savvy and better prepared for the future workforce. But as you mentioned, how do we prepare them for the unknown?...
With technology changing at an increasing pace, it seems as though education will never be able to keep up. I look at some of the technologies that are just now being introduced to schools – SMART Boards, laptop carts, podcasts, etc. – all resources that have been around for the past few years. Then throw in the lack of funding issue (the “haves” vs. the “have-nots”), and we seem to be fighting a losing battle. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I feel like I have such a small role in this fight. Is what I’m doing really making a difference? I think all teachers have struggled with this question at one time or another. But as you mentioned, even just starting in “small chunks” can lead our students on the right path. Because I work with students with significant learning needs, they stay in my classroom from 6th to 8th grade. I have three years (and with some students four years) to hone in on the skills they will need to be successful and as independent as possible in the future. Introducing and utilizing the technologies I have available plays a huge role in their futures. If I didn’t look at the years my students are with me as an integral step in preparing them for the workforce, I would be doing them a high disservice. Collaboration with the high school MH teacher (who will have my students once they leave me) ensures that the 21st century skills I teach will continue to be addressed. And while every teacher may not have their students for as many years as I do, what they do with them while they are in their classrooms and how they collaborate with their student’s future teachers, does make a difference. We must share our knowledge and insight of 21st century skills in every way that we can. WE can get the ball rolling and create a buzz amongst those in our buildings and communities. And although we may not be able to change the way our country incorporates technology into the field of education, we have to start somewhere.