My initial reaction to the web-site is that it has quite a bit of information in regards to the overall concept or vision of what they want the learning environment for our students to give the impression of being like in the 21st century. It was interesting to view their vision displayed through the idea of rainbow.
The focus was not just on core subjects as being the focal point for a students’ education, but that a student that is ready to compete is this global world needs to be able to also have other skills that include the following: Life and Career Skills, Learning and Information, and Information and Media Technology (http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/index.php).
This acknowledgement of skills moves beyond the traditional skills of the 20th century age. These skills are well-rounded and promote a new insight into the student of the 21st century.
This site promotes these skills for grades K-12 as being skills that must be integrated into our own classrooms, but what stunned me the most was the amount of support that was being given by major corporations as a wakeup call to the changes that need to be made if we want to have our own students be able to compete for jobs in these major corporations, since the it is now a global job market versus merely competing with the best of the best here in America.
What I liked most about the website was the link to various education journals and news feeds that delve into the various ideas and concerns that surround this idea of partnering for 21st century skills. On the website it posted the states that are involved in this initiative, but for me it only reaffirmed the obvious that as a nation if we want to make any head way into the advancement of this 21st century partnership that we need to institute a national partnership like many of the other countries have implemented throughout the world(Miners and Pascopella, 2007).
It seems that we are on the threshold of the beginning of change in our ability to transform our classrooms and educational standards based upon this new vision of student that will be prepared for the new workforce of the future. It is with great optimism that I believe that this partnership will shape a new future for our students in the classroom and beyond.
References:
Miners, Z., & Pascopella, A. (2007). The new literacies. District Administration, 43(10), 26–34.
The Partnership for 21st Century Skills, 2004. Retrieved September 30th, 2009, from http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/index.php.
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Iagree with you that we are in deed at the threshold of acquiring 21st century skill. The implication for us is to be a lifelong learner.That is the only way to acquire the skills and methodology to be able prepare students adequately for the 21t century workplace
ReplyDeleteHi Dawn,
ReplyDeleteYou stated that we are at threshold of change. Miners and Pascopella (2007)stated that "technology literacy is endangered by well-intentioned educators trying to create checklists and tests." Can this country as a whole fully integrate 21st century literacy skills without a massive overhaul of standards and standardized tests?
I think that schools are trying but are not nearly as close to the cusp as they need to be. Too many of our students are leaving high school without the skills necessary to compete in society. I teach middle school and the outlook is not good for the students we have now as well as upcoming grades to be equipped with 21st century literacy skills. The push for bell to bell instruction, direct explicit instruction, covering every standard possible, and standardized test practice are rampant in our schools. More and more of our elementary students are learning early on that the one big test in the spring is the most important and those tests do not leave room for collaboration, decision making, creativity, speaking, and listening (Bates & Phelan, 2002). How can we teach our student the importance of these skills when all they are taught is that passing the big test is what matters most?
Michele
Bates, R., & Phelan, K. (2002). Characteristics of a globally competitive workforce. Advances in Developing Human Resources, 4(2), 121
Miners, Z., & Pascopella, A. (2007). The new literacies. District Administration, 43(10), 26–34.
Dawn,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that our government needs to step in and have this issue become something that starts getting involved. Like always many countries seem to be way a head of us. It seems to me that our education system tends to not work together. Each state has their own thoughts and ideas on how to run. What I liked about The Partnership for the 21st century is that they want all of education system to come together and tackle the problem of students not being 21st century ready. I would like to see it happen for all the students. My hope is that they can become more visible and help in the push to get our students 21st century ready.
Allison
FACS 7th and 8th
I still have hope for the future of our students, but as the teacher I have my responsibility to teach to the standards, but I am not a slave to the test. I learned long ago that my job is to teach and inspire my students to be writers. I encourage them to find their voice, and I want them to believe that they can versus can't.
ReplyDeleteAt the end of the day, I want my students to believe in themselves. I teach middle school too, but I feel that it is my job to provide the rigor and relevance with a side of hope and inspiration. I say to the world America is not done yet. We are not going to stay behind for to long.
Dawn
Dawn