There
is a great need for education to change in order to prepare our students for
the ever-changing, fast-paced work force that they will enter. It is hard to know what steps we must take to
prepare them, when we don’t really know what the future holds for them. However, we do know that the jobs available
today and in the future do and will require a more advanced skill set. Our students need to gain 21st
century skills and become proficient in all facets of technology to have a leg
up. 21st century skills
include: information
literacy, critical thinking, problem-solving, communication skills, teamwork
and collaboration, information technology, leadership, creativity and
innovative thinking, lifelong learning, self-direction, professionalism,
ethics, and social responsibility (Laureate Education, 2010).
According to
Miners and Pascopella, our students also known as “digital natives” are pretty
tech savvy. They spend endless hours using
computers and smartphones to access social media sites, blog, download music,
and play interactive video games.
However, our students aren’t using a lot of information. They are unsure of how to determine reliable
resources, evaluate them, and use critical thinking to process them (Miners
& Pascopella, 2007). Knowing this should empower educators to do something. We are responsible for providing an education
that prepares our students for higher education and beyond.
The website, Partnership
for 21st Century Skills (http://www.p21.org/) is full of valuable information supporting
integration of technology and 21st century skills in every
classroom. P21’s mission is to serve as a catalyst to position 21st century readiness
at the center of US K12 education by building collaborative partnerships among
education, business, community and government leaders. They recognize that what is being taught in
schools is disconnected from the actual needs of our students.
When
investigating this site there was nothing I didn’t agree with. I think that there is a great urgency to make
these changes in our educational system.
All schools around our nation need to provide professional development
for teachers in the areas of technology and 21st century
skills. Students need to be using
technology everyday, throughout the day, in meaningful ways. I was not happy to see that the state of
Oregon has not partnered with this initiative to improve education for our
students. All educators need to get on
board. We must be willing to continue
our own education in these areas and do all that we can to implement them into
our lessons. We should also work on partnerships with businesses and
professionals that can help to support our students in the classroom and out.
Laureate
Education, Inc. (2010). Skills for the 21st Century. Baltimore,
MD: Author.
26–34. Used by
permission.
Hi Kori,
ReplyDeleteI loved reading your post. I agree with you on so many different points made in this blog. Mostly I agree with you when you say that it is hard to prepare our students for the future when you don't know what the future holds.
Using information and finding things such as "reliable sources" is vital. I find these things to be a constant battle, even with the amount of time students use technology. Do you think there is an effective and efficient way to teach how to find a reliable source?
Thank you for sharing!
Amanda
Kori,
ReplyDeleteYou are right all states and educators should be partners in bringing the necessary skills to our students, however there is a level of disconnect with the system and many teachers whom fear the technology itself. I was amazed as I spent real time with my students this week discussing technology. Despite the access to technology, they know much less then I would have expected them to know by third grade. It made me realize just how much work needs to be done.
How are we going to get others involved and help them see that teachers can not just say oh I am not tech savvy and keep teaching the way they have always done? I get so frustrated when I hear a teacher say that. There is just such a lack of understanding of what is really needed. But without state, district and administrative leaders pushing the issue how can real progress be made?
Just some thought....
Kathlyn
Kathlyn,
DeleteI spent some time discussing technology with my students as well. I too realized that they don't have as much experience and interest in technology as I would have thought. They do get excited when they are able to use computers and iPads in class, however, they would rather play games then use it for information purposes. They also made comments that they felt they would be prepared for college without learning how to use technology. I couldn't believe this! They really don't understand what is going on around them.
I think you are absolutely correct when saying that without state, district and administrative leaders pushing for the change in teachers progress won't be made, at least not quickly. I think it is our duty to change and learn with the times in order to prepare our students. We can't just pretend it is not happening.
Kori Bass
Hi Kori!
ReplyDeleteOur students are becoming extremely tech savy! I am afraid I am not as talented as they are and this concerns me as they grow up and are not ready for the new technology. We have a future full of new innovative technology that will be the base for their jobs and lives as they grow.
My state is another state that is not in conjunction with P21. I believe this should be known for states to be using this if this is where we are going. My students catch onto technology faster than I do. This is a positive and negative part of the technology moving. I am afraid with all the changes we will not be able to be prepared to teach the new classes. What are your thoughts?
Lisa
Lisa,
DeleteI have the same concerns. It has been difficult to keep up with the technology changes. I just continue to push myself to learn all that I can. I am making changes to my teaching practices as I become more comfortable with these skills and technology. How are you able to keep up?
Kori
Kori,
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post and I completely agree that it sounds like something my school should be doing as well. My only concern is that many of these initiatives sound great on paper (or the website), but what does it look like when it is implemented? In Connecticut we have started using the Common Core State Standards, and initially it was presented to teachers in a way that sounded great. As it has evolved, it has made teaching a nightmare (in my opinion). I think that all of these things are great as long as they are implemented in an effective way. I have high hopes about this 21st Century Skills. I hope that they are implemented in an effective way that does not center around "the test."
~Heather
Hi Kori
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your blog, I admit that I agree with every one of your points. Especially the point about students not really using the internet to access information of which they are critically thinking about. I would go a step further and say that most of our students are simply playing with technology as a means of entertainment and to socialize. So you are right in saying that we adults, educators, parents, etc must teach them how to use this tool responsibly.