APPLICATION 4
Partnership for 21st Century Skills
I was impressed with the reading sources available on the web site. It is easy to navigate and I like the drop downs at the top of the main page. It didn’t take long before I found an article which is of interest to me. The Middle School Journal was very informative. I teach at this level and printed a few copies for the teacher’s room.
I was surprised to see that the site consists of more then just a data base of reading resources. A great deal of time and effort was put into developing and maintaining this site. For example visitors are encouraged to join a Cyber Summit which will take place starting June 1st, it sounds like a good way to learn more about the 21st Century Skills Movement and how I could improve my teaching methods to support this.
I did notice that the site stress a particular point of view and does not leave much room for debate regarding some topics. For example Core Subjects are listed on the site, directly below is the 21st Century Themes that the creators of this site feel should be woven into the core subjects. As a teacher I always examine information objectively, using what I feel will be helpful and leaving out what I feel will not be beneficial to my students. Much of this is a matter of opinion and not a proven fact. The site seems to present some of the information as a proven fact and not just a suggested way of doing things.
The implications for students and teachers are that we will all need to adjust to the changing times. Teachers need to educate and evaluate their students differently. Students need to shift their thinking from personal to team oriented goals. It is obvious that students and teachers must become more “tech savvy”, however, this will not be enough. When our students enter the work force they will be expected to possess strong communication skills. Collaboration with coworkers will be an important part of most jobs.
Partnership for 21st Century Skills
I was impressed with the reading sources available on the web site. It is easy to navigate and I like the drop downs at the top of the main page. It didn’t take long before I found an article which is of interest to me. The Middle School Journal was very informative. I teach at this level and printed a few copies for the teacher’s room.
I was surprised to see that the site consists of more then just a data base of reading resources. A great deal of time and effort was put into developing and maintaining this site. For example visitors are encouraged to join a Cyber Summit which will take place starting June 1st, it sounds like a good way to learn more about the 21st Century Skills Movement and how I could improve my teaching methods to support this.
I did notice that the site stress a particular point of view and does not leave much room for debate regarding some topics. For example Core Subjects are listed on the site, directly below is the 21st Century Themes that the creators of this site feel should be woven into the core subjects. As a teacher I always examine information objectively, using what I feel will be helpful and leaving out what I feel will not be beneficial to my students. Much of this is a matter of opinion and not a proven fact. The site seems to present some of the information as a proven fact and not just a suggested way of doing things.
The implications for students and teachers are that we will all need to adjust to the changing times. Teachers need to educate and evaluate their students differently. Students need to shift their thinking from personal to team oriented goals. It is obvious that students and teachers must become more “tech savvy”, however, this will not be enough. When our students enter the work force they will be expected to possess strong communication skills. Collaboration with coworkers will be an important part of most jobs.
John, I too enjoyed your post. I agree with you when you say that teachers and students are needing to become more "tech savvy" but how do we get there if the skills and or funding is not there. I am lucky to be able to teach with many technology devices, but what happens when schools do not have these tools? How can teachers move ahead to the 21st Century Skills if they do not have these skills themselves to teach their students nor do they have the necessary devices to use?
ReplyDeleteGreat post, John!
Hi John,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post specially the part where you say that students need to shift their thinking from personal to team orientated goals.
Maria
Hi John, I am from one of those schools that does not have alot of funding and technology is very scarce and I find it very difficult to find a way to implement this into my lesson. At this point I find myself very frustrated on wanting to move forward but keep getting pulled back
ReplyDeleteLisa Lee