Evaluating 21st Century Skills

As an educator, I found the web site of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills very informative and motivational. The mission of this organization is “to ensure every child’s success as citizens and workers in the 21st century”. Through various resources, educators can see the need for changes in the schools. This organization gives us the tools and ideas needed to implement this. In viewing the DVD, “Skills for the 21st Century”, Dr. David Thornburg (2008) explains the seven skills necessary to prepare our students for the changing workforce. These range from “information literacy” to “leadership”. He also goes on to explain more specific skills and dispositions such as “creativity and innovative thinking” and “lifelong learning”. The website of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills has incorporated assessment tools, recommendations, and the framework for educators to implement these 21st century skills into the classroom. What a great site for educators!
The Snapshots that are included in the website are very impressive. A Brooklyn school referred to as “PS 24” focuses on conflict resolution. Fourth and fifth graders are educated on learning to be a peace helper. They become trainers in problem solving. It was great to see older kids teaching younger kids how to resolve conflicts. Through discussions and drawings, kids that are struggling with this are able to learn ways to deal with their emotions.
An article entitled, Schools That Work: How You Can Do It explains that a Houston charter school called YES Prep has extended the school day to provide more learning time. There school times are from 7:30AM-4:30 PM five days a week. They also offer Saturday sessions and summer sessions. I do believe that more instructional time sounds like a great way to teach the necessary skills to the students and prepare them for college and the demanding workforce. However, I see some drawbacks to this as well. I worry that such an increase in the school day would cause my students to lose focus and motivation. Through hands-on and group activities, I do try to engage my students in lessons that are fun and exciting. However, by the end of the day, some of my students are lacking enthusiasm. I also think that children need to have time with their families outside of school.
In the article, “Learning for the 21st Century”, it states “Students need to learn how to use 21st century tools beginning in elementary school to take full advantage of the vast array of research and multimedia resources, digital content, and communications options available to them”. This website is a great tool for me to use when integrating technology into my fourth grade classroom. There is such a large amount of material to cover throughout the year. This site incorporates this material into a curriculum that is necessary for the 21st century learner.

References:

Partnership for 21st Century Skills. (n.d.). A report and mile guide for 21st century skills. Washington DC: Author. Retrieved November 25, 2009 from http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/downloads/P21_Report.pdf

Partnership for 21st Century Skills. (2004).Tucson, AZ. Retrieved November 25, 2009 from http://www.21stcenturyskill.org/

Thornburg, D. Skills for the 21st Century (Laureate Education, Inc. 2008).

Classroom Ideas

Currently, I am teaching 4th grade reading, social studies, and math. I think that getting my students involved in blogging would be a great way to motivate them. They would learn so much from each other and have a chance to express their opinions. The blog that I will create will serve as a place for my students to discuss topics that are relevant to the standards. In reading "Web literacy for educators", Alan November (2008) explains that this is a way to integrate blogs into the classroom. I integrate many of my reading skills into my social studies lessons. A social studies blog would allow my students to express what they have learned about the material that we have discussed in class. I could incorporate various reading strategies such as summarizing a reading passage and writing an opinion. For example, I am currently teaching the American Revolution. This week, we have been discussing what factors caused the war. I could have the students write an opinion of how the colonists could have persuaded British Partliament from taxing them. Then, the students could comment to each others' opinions on this topic. I would like to also include interactive websites. I have found a great interactive website for my 4th grade students. This website was creatied by the eMints National Center. It includes videos, pictures, games, work searches, etc. about the American Revolution. My students will love it! http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00000025.shtml
Please check it out and let me know your thoughts!

References:

November, A. (2008). Web literacy for educators. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.Copyright 2008 by Sage Publications, Inc.

The students of today are more technologically advanced than ever before. As a teacher, every year it seems to be getting harder and harder to motivate and keep my students’ attention. It is almost as if we have to compete with the internet, video games, cell phones, etc. in the classroom. The students are so used to constantly being entertained outside the classroom. In Blogs, wiks, podcasts, and other powerful web tools for classrooms (2nd ed.), Richardson (2009) states, “There is no question that more and more of today’s kids are entering our classrooms having had years of “screentime” and that in general, while they still may have a lot to learn about living in the digital world, they are by nd large fearless in their use of technology.” (p.56). As a teacher, I know that is important to find ways to grab their attention and motivate them to want to be successful. It used to be that textbooks, a blackboard, and an overhead projector were the only materials needed to create a successful lesson. Today, it is necessary for teachers to incorporate the latest technology into the curriculum so that students will be prepared for the future. In the article, Technology and education: Expectations, not options, Thornburg (2004) states that “today we clearly are in the realm where the question is not how technology should change to fit classroom practice, but rather how, given current technology, classroom practice should change” (p.4). In other words, it really should not be an option as to whether a teacher needs to change his/her teaching practices. Classroom practice has to change because the technology has so drastically changed. Teachers have to have the right attitude for this change to be successful.
Currently, I am becoming more comfortable with a few new advances such as the ELMO, LCD projector, and school pad. These definitely make a difference in my lessons. My school has also incorporated a weekly technology class for the students. They are involved in typing lessons each week as well as different programs such as PowerPoint. They are really enjoying this class. The internet has become such a great tool for the students to use for research projects. In Blogs, wiks, podcasts, and other powerful web tools for classrooms (2nd ed.), Richardson (2009) states “We are no long limited to being independent readers or consumers of large storehouses of information. In the process, we can learn much about ourselves and out world” (p.2). There is a wealth of information on the internet that we would not have had access to fifty years ago. In the next few years, I feel that it is my responsibility to become educated on the latest technological advancements so that my students are prepared. I hope that other educators feel this way. I would be interested in finding out others’ opinions on this topic.

Citations

Richardson, W. (2009). Blogs, wikis, podcasts, and other powerful tools for classrooms.
Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Thornburg, David. (2004) Technology and education: expectations, not options.
Retrieved from http://www.tcpdpodcast.org/briefings/expectations.pdf.