The 21st Century skills site is an inviting site with its colorful pictures, easy to follow table of contents, and many focused topics that cover the reasons our education system needs to emerge technology into the core classes of today's society. This website hooked me right at the beginning from the "Letter to America's Education Leaders" to the many ways we can support the Partnerships for 21st Century. Although I enjoyed reading the entire website, what surprised me the most is that there is actually a program that recognizes the fact that there is "a profound gap between the knowledge and skills most students learn in school and the knowledge and skills they need in typical 21st century communities and work places" (Learning for the 21st Century, 2008) and want to come together to make changes. The fact that this website is very aware of the impact that technology has in the real world, and the transformation that is required for schools to adapt to the accelerating changes that it brings is refreshing. I really enjoyed the many insights and best practices about 21st century knowledge and skills, the idea of it complementing No Child Left Behind by including technology skills to be assessed, and creating the six key elements of 21st century learning. I couldn't agree more with the fact that 21st century technology make better connections for students engagement, motivation, and attitudes about learning.
Therefore making everyday learning relevant to life by teachers using examples, applications and settings from students' lives and their communities through technology will be an obstacle that I will have to conquer. Knowing that today's technology allows educators to pursue a topics in depth and allows for advanced communication is an advantage for all. I hope that when I complete this course the dynamics in my classroom have changed drastically along with that of technology. I will remain to be a life long learner as I will teach my students the same, because of the fast pace of today's technology.
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Joy,
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with you more. I also want he dynamics of my teaching to change! This class as well as the "partnership for 21st century" website has put me on a mission to change the way that I teach. I used to have a slight interest in technology but never really understood its importance in the classroom. My eyes are wide open and I am eager to learn.
For the past couple of weeks I have made it my mission to speak with administration and tech support to make changes in my classroom. I am excited to say that i have been given great support. One of my wishes for next school year is to have an internet workstation in my room. I was told by tech support that I just have to put it in writing (and if there are extra computers roaming around) I will have it taken care of. Hopefully, I will have my first graders blogging at the start of the school year! I guess it pays to ask for things:)
Jen
I have never thought about asking for any extra computers to be placed in my room. Great idea! I'll not only ask but I will let them know all that I have learned and the emphasis that is being placed on integrating technology into the classrooms for the proper preparation for my students.
ReplyDeleteYou know I wonder as an educator if we will ever reach a point where all parties whom have a vested interest in the success of our students will work together instead of fighting individual battles. We can partner with the power companies and adjust our curriculum to better prepare our students for the current direction of 21st century jobs, but what if it changes. Businesses are concerned with the bottom line, county officials and administrators are concern with data that displays growth and teachers just want our kids to be the best they can be. I say these things because you said “I hope that when I complete this course the dynamics in my classroom have changed drastically along with that of technology,” but are those around us in the decision making positions moving at the same pace as those of us who see the trends changing in the moment?
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