Application # 4
I was initially overwhelmed at all of the information on the 21st Century Skills website. As if teachers do not have enough to think about when planning a lesson, now they have to make sure they are incorporating these skills as well.
Luckily, I have had the privilege of mentoring two teacher interns that both followed this framework for their college portfolios so we always incorporated one of these skills in their lesson planning. It has also been comforting to see as we make the cross over to the Common Core Standards, how many of these skills show up in the Common Core.
One of the biggest pieces of information that helped me develop a new understanding of issues surrounding the skills were the skills maps for each subject. The Partnership for 21st Century website has a skill map for each subject as well as what each of the skills would look like at various grade levels. So, for instance, in the Science skill map, it shows how Creativity and Innovation can be used in a 4th, 8th and 12th grade classroom. Dr. Thornburg explains that students can learn from one another through collaboration during their discovery time while Dr. Dede says that in order for teachers to create a more collaborative environment, we must first change our pedagogy and instruction, while also changing our form of assessment (Laureate, 2010).
In the article "Virtual Schools and 21st Century Skills" found on the Partnership for 21st Century website, I agree with their statement that U.S. innovation is falling behind. We are finding that we are being outsourced more and more by innovators around that world that rival Americans and employers are alarmed at having to fill jobs with with people who don't display the necessary skills to complete a job (NACOL, 2006).
We as educators have our work cut out for us. On top of ensuring our students have the necessary academic skills to proceed to the next grade level, we must also ensure that they have the necessary technological, communication, and innovative skills needed to participate as a valued member of our ever changing society.
Resources:
Laureate
Education, Inc. (2010). Understanding the Impact of Technology on Education,
Work, and Society. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Partnership for 21st Century Skills. (n.d.). Virtual schools and 21st century skills. Washington DC: Author. Retrieved from http://www.p21.org/storage/documents/VSand21stCenturySkillsFINALPaper.pdf
I also believe that we as a nation are following behind. We need to stop making excuses and fix the problems. We need to hold students accountable for the information being taught in class.
ReplyDeleteIn college, I was taught many different strategies and collaboration styles to teach in the classroom. the other day a teacher was talking about the new observation procedure and lesson plan format and I was able to help her plan her lesson. Although some of the new changes in education are a lot to handle, I believe that are the first steps into getting the United States back on top.
I have to agree with you about how complex the website and the amount of time needed to filter through all the information etc. While the site might be beneficial to some, for others it might just be another site that we visit once and move on. During one of our staff meetings, the “responsibilities” of the teacher is always expanding with new ideas but never eliminate certain practices etc. As individuals, we need to find resources that benefit us and our students.
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned that “American Innovation” is lacking and jobs are being outsourced etc. I think the issue is deeper than not having enough skilled/ educated people to fill those positions. It’s more of a “supply and demand” issue. If there was surplus of high paying jobs in the United States, students would be more inclining to pursue the position / career. Unfortunately, companies send the work overseas because of the cheaper wages, lower pollution restrictions and labor laws etc. If the United States would restrict the outsourcing, fix the trade agreement act, and invest in our country; I think the lack of innovation would be eliminated.