Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Partnership for 21st Century Skills

My initial reaction to the Partnership for the 21st Century Skills website (www.21stcenturyskills.org) was "this is fantastic, look at all the innovative and forward thinking groups that have come together to try and get education moving forward and keeping pace."
It actually shocked me that there are such clearly laid out 21st century skills that need to be taught. I had previously generalized 21st century skills as technology and internet based skills, and then with our readings and DVD's this week I added to that group work, leadership etc. But to have a checklist and guide like you do in the MILE guide is very impressive and somehow makes things feel more attainable. I am a big fan of checklists so the layout of this really fits for me.
Upon further exploration of the site I was really taken by the fact that there are so many businesses associated with this process...of course this is one of the 21st century skills, collaboration and looking beyond educators and towards businesses for partnerships in learning so I guess I shouldn't' have been surprised but I was.
Implications for my students and myself including a more focused and goal oriented push towards developing 21st century skills both for my students and for myself as a teacher. I will definitely be using this resource and bringing it to the attention of my principal and our country as a whole. Rather than focusing on getting more technology into the classroom as a broad based initiative, this website allows us to define what we need and why we need it!
I will also be using the resources provided through the website on Route 21 for innovative lesson plans and ideas. I think the 21st Century educational technology and learning blog, for example (http://21centuryedtech.wikispaces.com/), would have been very helpful for me this week in teaching my students about American Thanksgiving!
I am excited to explore more and more on the Route 21 section of the website.
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6 comments:

  1. raineybNovember 26, 2009 at 6:27 PM

    It was a surprise that there is so much more we need to be teaching our children other than just how a computer works and that the internet is out there and how to be safe on it. There is always something new and exciting to find out there to help us utilize our new skills.

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  2. kristina vlahosNovember 28, 2009 at 7:12 AM

    I am amazed that every state isn't already fully on board with this iniative, especially with our current economic state. We need to give our students every advantage to make themselves viable in the future workforce.

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  3. reedbloggerNovember 28, 2009 at 5:04 PM

    I agree that it is too bad we can't get this stuff into all classrooms around the globe RIGHT NOW. It seems as though there is a fundamental shift in education that has to happen otherwise we are doing our students a dis-service. The old ways don't apply anymore and we need to all step up and change sooner than later!

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  4. MTheonnesNovember 28, 2009 at 7:39 PM

    I like the fact that you stated that the initiative states what we need and why we need it. I had not looked at this issue from that perspective. We are limited in the technology that we have and the support we get for use of that technology. Fortunately we have an advocate in the 21st Century Skills Organization. As I looked through their site, I saw a large number of concepts that I had believed, but never organized in this fashion.

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  5. gradrunnerNovember 29, 2009 at 4:11 PM

    I teach in Northern Virginia, and I found that we are not part of P21. We have so much wrapped up into SOL's that we will probably not support the Mile standards in the near future. However, I did find the site beneficial. You are right, about the organized P21 technology standards. It gives you a chance to see what students should know and what you can teach them so they can prepare for the real world. I would like to see how many states are on that list going into the next school year?

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  6. AnonymousDecember 6, 2009 at 4:54 PM

    What a great reflection. I know as you study the 21st century skills you will see that technology integration is part of the process. Thanks for visiting my 21stcenturyedtech Wiki (The Thanksgiving Posting) on your journey. I invite you and your colleagues to come back often to either the Wiki, or visit the Blog and feel free to comment! Best wishes as you continue your journey and keep of the posts!
    -Thanks - Mike
    Wiki - 21centuryedtech.wikispaces.com
    Blog - 21centuryedtech.owordpress.com

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