Over the past few days I have spent some time looking at the Partnership for 21st Century Skills website (http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/). I found the site both informative and useful. I had no idea that an organization like this existed. On their website they state that their mission is to "Serve as a catalyst to position 21st century skills at the center of US K-12 education by building collaborative partnerships among education, business, community and government leader (http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/). What surprised me the most was the states that are already participating with this site as P21 Leadership States. I would have expected large states with major metropolitan areas to be leading this initiative, but that is not the case. South Dakota, Wisconsin, and West Virginia are among participants, to name a few.
The site was easily navigable and I especially liked the "Articles of Interest" section. I could easily see new and relevant articles as well as discussions and videos. I also liked the section on 21st century student outcomes and support systems (http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=254&Itemid=120). I agree with the framework they illustrated and I found the graphic easy to understand. I liked how the user can click on each separate area to get finer details about what each category should encompass. I did not encounter anything on the site that I disagreed with.
I think this site implies what many of us already know, technology must be implemented in all classrooms, in various and creative ways. Students require these skills to successfully enter the workforce and it is our responsibility as educators to ensure that our students acquire these skills before leaving high school. As a contemporary educator I will be expected to bring these skills to my students. Depending on the district I ultimately end up working in, I may or may not have the support and funding I need to do this. Either way, it will still be my responsibility to bring as much new technology to my students as possible, sometimes using creative means to make sure my students get what they need.
Reference:
http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/
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Now that you mention it, the states which are participating at this early stage are kind of surprising. I don't necessarily think of Wisconsin, South Dakota and West Virginia as "backward," but like you, I would have expected the ones spear-heading this movement to be the states with large urban populations. I always thought of myself as tech savvy but I didn't know about the 21st Century Skills initiative either so I can hardly blame those states I think of as modern forward-thinkers for not having their name on the list.
ReplyDeleteAs contemporary educators, it underscores the importance of staying abreast of industry developments. It is no longer enough for us to be just looking at our classroom, our department, our building, or our district. Our responsibility to our students extends to ideas and discourse emerging across the nation and across the globe, even if we don't find the administrative or financial support in our own little bubble. A daunting task! I worry that I might make myself crazy trying to keep my finger on the pulse of so many things at once. Do you have any ideas how we can reasonably keep all these plates twirling?
Upon visiting the Partnership for 21st Century Skills website my first thoughts were, "Am I out of the loop?, Why have I never heard of this resource before?". While I am glad that I'm not the only one who hasn't I'm a bit saddened by this also. I too was surprised not only by the few number of states involved in this initiative but also by the states themselves. I have not researched this, but would imagine that Wisconsin and West Virginia are not among the states with the largest populations and thus largest school districts. I partially agree with the sentiment of Mike(see http://readspeak.wordpress.com/) what good is a valuable resource if no one knows it exists but again ponder exactly whose fault it is that we don't. Of the many resource and technology sites I've visited over the past month, via Walden University's Understanding the Impact of Technology on Education, Work, and Society cousework, I have not come across a link to or even slight blurb about this site. Though I wish the opposite were true in the field of education our value is often overlooked or underappreciated by other professional fields. If we're made aware of such resources as those supported on the Partnership for 21st Century Skills website everyone's jobs--Department of Education, corporations, school systems, educators--would be easier. Simply by working in conjunction with and not against the field of education a large burden could be lifted from the shoulders of state boards of ed., school districts, teachers, and future employers of students. It is not until then that we'll be able to focus on the foundational skills and core competencies identified by organizations such as The Department of Labor SCANS (Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills) SCANS as essential for future employability of our students.
ReplyDeleteOne of the problems that I find in education is that we do not believe that we are business persons as well as the other major companies. The only difference between us and Apple or Microsoft is that our products are humans and theirs are machines. We should see ourselves as educational entrepreneurs and like any enterprise, we are to advertise and promote our goals and projects so that the key persons who we need to offer support will know about our plans and are in agreement with it. So I am amazed that such a grandiose project has been in existence since 2002 and that the key personnel-frontline teachers and no doubt, parents, have been ignorant of its existence and its work.
ReplyDeleteBut now that we are aware and we know of its existence and its goals, what is there to stop us from sharing it with others? I agree with Carrye, we are no longer living in an age where we are in our own little world and bubble. The reality of globalization resounds unequivocally that if we do not begin to adjust and make the necessary changes to our own educational system, the laws of natural selection will take effect-the stronger will survive.
The plans that have been expressed in the partnership for 21st century skills should be enforced with much emergency, so that our children will be better prepared for their 21st century life.
Jewel Meikle
English/Science
High School.
Partnership for 21st century skills.(n.d). A report and mile guide for 21st century skills. Washington, DC:Author.
Hi Alison,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your proactive point of view regarding bringing technology to your students. I, too, am entering unknown territory. I am not sure what type of support I will receive from the school where I will be teaching this year. However, I think you have made a very valuable point in your blog. As contemporary educators, it is our responsibility to provide students with the tools and resources we have had the privilege to be afforded and introduced to while in this program. Otherwise, i feel like we would be withholding essential knowledge that could positively impact them for the rest of their lives! I, too, agreed with the framework within the 21st Century Skills site, and found much to be excited about. There are many rich resources within this website, and I cannot wait to put my newfound knowledge and ideas to good use. With a positive and proactive outlook, we will assist in creating self-starters with all the tools necessary to thrive in this 21st Century environment. My best wishes to you!
Allison Berglund
I am like Carrye when she states that she feels that she might make herself crazy trying to keep her pulse on so many things at once. It is our responsibility to know certain things, however I feel that those people who hold high administrative positions (superintendents, governors, etc.) are held to a higher standard regarding researching the latest developments and relaying that information to those in their employment.
ReplyDeleteWe are on the brink of unbelievable change in the world of business and education. If we don't "step up to the plate" and prepare ourselves, we are going to be left standing while the world around us marches on.