http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/ is a great resource for learning where our country is at technology wise and what we should do in education to adjust to the ever changing times technological advances offer. The overview on the site clearly explains the meaning behind the initiative. I thought this site really offered terrific insight on how every member of society can contribute or raise awareness with bridging the gap between the knowledge and skills most students learn in school and the knowledge and skills they need in typical 21st century communities and workplaces. I liked how the site offered steps that people can take at many levels in the private and public sectors. I appreciate how the site conveys that issues addressed should be resolved with collaborative efforts on local and state levels. I could not agree more with the fact that all students need qualified and effective teachers who are comfortable with using the most innovative technology available and that students need consistent and reliable access to the technologies.
I was surprised that the site mentioned several times that many school budgets are low but did not really address what to do if that was the case. It seems every time I try to address issues of technological advancement I am told there is no budget for it, so why discuss it.
I was motivated by the many state initiatives available for viewing on the site that address how schools will integrate technology and adjust the curriculum for the 21st century. This resource offered some great ideas that I could facilitate discussion on in my district as an instructor of technology. I would enjoy assisting with the implementation of aligning standards and assessments with 21st century skills. I would like to use some of the state initiatives linked on the site as a model for our county. I would share and utilize the six key elements for fostering 21st century learning with administrators and educators in my community.
Fostering 21st century learning would entail these key elements…
1. Expanding beyond the basic competency to understanding core academic content on higher levels
2. Incorporating learning skills that include information and communication, thinking and problem- solving, and interpersonal and self-directional, into classrooms deliberately
3. Proficient use of digital technology and communication tools essential to everyday life
4. Reaching out to the real world of the community, employers, community members, and parents
5. Infusing global awareness; financial, economic and business literacy; and civic literacy into the curriculum
6. Create a balance of assessments that are effective and utilize new information technologies to increase efficiency and timeliness
I feel our school district is already well on its way with the 6th step I have mentioned. We have begun testing online at the 5th grade level in elementary schools and are beginning to see its usefulness. Teachers are able to get feedback from benchmark testing immediately following the assessments.
Upon viewing this site and many other resources that reinforce the ideas expressed on this site, I am astounded at its relevance and how apparent it is for our curriculum to change to integrate current technology. The reasons why make perfect sense, yet I wonder how we could communicate this to the elementary schools in the county as well as the community I teach in. Perhaps it would be beneficial to utilize a professional development affiliate on the site to conduct professional development on the major issues for learning 21st century skills. It may prove beneficial to spend some time sharing the facts I have learned on my own with the schools I service, as well. I will begin by adding what I have learned to the monthly newsletters I publish, sharing insight at faculty meetings, and creating discussion on my blog. I will take it a step further by reaching out to the communities of the schools by sharing the facts with parents and the community by presenting to PTA and County assemblies.
Check out the site and tell me what you think!
Partnership for 21st Century Skills. (n.d.). A report and mile guide for 21st century skills. Washington DC: Author. Retrieved from http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/images/stories/otherdocs/p21up_Report.pdf
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I was also surprised by the fact that funding options were not discussed. We all see the immense need to integrate technology. However, if the funding is not there, it is very difficult. My school, since it is a technology school, must keep up to date on new technologies. Our district does provide us with some technology, but the majority of our funding comes from grants. We have several talented teachers within our building who work extremely hard each year to write these grants to purchase computers, software, cameras, etc. Funding will continue to be an issue in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteThat is wonderful that you are sharing what you learned with so many others in the schools you service and in the community. I think the monthly newsletter is a great place to share information about 21st century skills. Increasing awareness about this issue is the first step towards improving our education system. I was not aware that the partnership for 21st century skills existed before this week and I am sure there are many other educators who are also not aware of it. As I have been learning more about technology and its importance, I have been sharing my knowledge with my colleagues. Because I strongly believe that our schools need to make changes soon, I will be sharing this website with them also.
ReplyDeleteJodi, yes, the site seemed to only scratch the service of funding deficits for itegration of technology. We used to have a perticular person who was in charge of heading up grants in our county. Unfortunately, due to lack of funding and budget cuts, that position is currently non-existant when we need it the most.
ReplyDeleteToni, that is wonderful that you are sharing what you are learning in this course with those you teach with. I believe that sharing is caring! Don't I sound cliche? No really. Sharing knowledge and working cooperatively is really the most crucial component in technology integration, along with administrative support.
Bravo! I think you hit the nail on the head. It does make perfect sense, so why are so many educators not even aware of these skills and standards? Communication is the key. I agree that it is important to communicate these ideas with our parents and community along with our teachers. Maybe a professional development facilitator from one of the Partnership sponsors would be able to communicate the importance of integrating technology more effectively than you or I just sharing our enthusiasm with our staff.
ReplyDeleteVery good post Melodi! It’s very true that the site does provide a good analysis at the challenges that plague education but doesn’t offer much in terms of ideas to combat these challenges. Alas, another example of someone pointing out the problems with no idea how to go about solving them.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is great that you have developed a plan for your district. They are lucky to have such a motivated teacher as a resource.
ReplyDeleteI also found that the 21st Century website did not address the financial issue that is, honestly, one of the biggest obstacles that most school districts/states face. Teachers who do not have time or resources to integrate these 21st century skills into the classroom, often stay within their comfort zone and continue to teach basic skills for the purpose of helping students pass standardized tests.
Karen, I think using a professional development affiliate is the best way to go, it is just an issue to find the funding for that. I will be looking into it.
ReplyDeleteSteve, thanks for the compliment! I tend to get a bit lengthy with my posts but it really is only because it interest me so much and I want this blog to serve as a place to obtain information regrading technology integration. I guess the "big idea" behind the site is that it is a collaborative discussion on how they will address the issue. Yet, it can get a bit discouraging when so many issues remain unresolved.
Alecia, I appreciate your positive comments. I hope that developing a plan and sharing this site with my district will get us on the right track for the student's sake. Isn't that who we are all in this for in the first place? I suppose many teachers are dealing with these budget cuts. I just would love to know from this site how we are expected to stay "in" the 21st century with lack of funding.