Exploring http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/
I thought that there were some good ideas presented on this website.
Quite honestly, I thought I might find more interesting and useful information and resources. (But perhaps upon further exploration, I may find more...)
I did find the "Route 21" page very interesting. There were interesting visuals and information to accomany the visuals. I think this provides a good overview of the necessary steps to get a 21st century education.
I think that the concept is great, BUT I think that it is difficult to accomplish when budget demands are limiting, and the current technology is limiting. But despite this, I will do my best to equip my students with the skills they need in order to be ready to function in the 'real world'.
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteI agree that the current technology is limiting due to the budget; however, I believe that if we stick together, have our "ducks in a row", and present our issues, they will be resolved. I always live by this saying: Where there's a will, there's a way. Eventually, hopefully sooner than later, we will get on board to provide our students with the 21st century skills. The first step is for all states to agree to step up to the challenges. To date, the site only lists fourteen. I teach in Maryland and it is not one of them. Is the state in which you teach on the list?
Keep up the great work and positive attitude, despite the limitations placed by budget cuts.
Melissa
I teach in a state that is on the list, and lack of budget is not an excuse to not adopt this program as adopting this program gives you money for technology! When a state adopts this program they recieve funding from the National Board of Education as well as resources from the program's buisness sponsers (which include Dell). Although we did also get some of our financial resources to incorporate new technology from our state government and also a local bond referendum for our smartboards. Before the smartboard referendum went to vote, the local news stations did interviews with students about what they felt having this technology in the classroom would do for their education.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that we are experiencing some economical hardships, however education as always under funded and weapons of war have been over funded. This great country of ours has neglected the minds of the future in the name of security. I believe if Washington D.C. (Which isn't part of the Union) really cared about about education and the security of the it's population education would be number 1 or 2 on the list of funding. A wise man once told me that you judge a nation by its poor or how it handles its poor. The 21century learner in this country is already behind compared to other industrial nations. In my humble opinion any organization that can create engaging ideas in order to close the gap on education I'm for it, however I'm very watchful on the amount of control they seek. : )
ReplyDeleteI teach in Canada, so I'm looking at this program from a different perspective. I think that it's a great initiative and I look forward to observing how it works.
ReplyDeleteIn the province I teach in, we have a Literacy with ICT initiative in place that only provides the outcomes that the province wants students to achieve, but there is no budget for getting the resources for this. The framework for 21st Century Skills seems to be quite similar to this, but I think that the 21st Century Skills has got a much stronger base for success.
Sarah,
ReplyDeletePlease accept my apologies for "assuming" you taught in the United States. I often forget that my classmates are from all over the world. As you can most likely tell, this Master's program is my first online class experience. It's great, though!
Melissa