21st Century Skills - continued

After reviewing the web site, Partnership for 21st Century Skills, at http://www.21stcenturyskills.org, I would like to respond to the following questions that my colleagues and I are discussing this week, as part of our studies.

What information on the site surprised you?
I was suprised at all the information and resources that support teaching 21st century skills in the classroom.

Did you disagree with anything on the site? I had a little concern about the number of businesses that have personnel serving on the board with Partnership for 21st Century Skills. Then after spending more time on the site and thinking further about this, I realized, this is a "partnership" and by having technology related business support the iniatives of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, then this could be a win-win situation for both, because the business would stand to receive increased business, but at the same time, these businesses can provide a great deal of knowledge and support to the idea that 21st Century Skills are increasingly important for students. Dr. Thornburg, states that our students will need to enter the workforce equipped with the necessary sills to work collaboratively with people from all over the globe and that with technology as a "moving target," that students will also need to be prepared using the newest and latest technology (Laureate Education, Inc., 2008).


What are the implications for your students, and for you as a contemporary educator?

In reviewing the web site for Partnership for 21st Century Skills, I was led to a link for for a site called, Education Sector. Under the heading titled "research and reports," I took particular notice with an article titled, Beyond the Bubble: Technology and the Future of Student Assessment, by Bill Tucker, dated February 17, 2009. The article states that "a growing number of testing and learning experts argue that technology can dramatically improve assessment—and teaching and learning. Several new research projects are demonstrating how information technology can both deepen and broaden assessment practices in elementary and secondary education, by assessing more comprehensively and by assessing new skills and concepts. All of which can strengthen both national standardized tests like the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and classroom-based tests meant to help teachers improve their instruction." I had not thought about how technology would impact standardized test scores among students. I can see the potential for increased student achievement, if students are taught to do more than just use technology, but rather to problem solve, use technology to complete projects, collaborate and solve problems or work toward meeting goals for particular content areas. See my earlier blog note from today, a different post, discussing information from Public School Insight. Thinking ahead, the bigger picture, students will need to be equipped with 21st century skills for their jobs, college education, and professional careers.


Dr. Thornburg gives particular emphasis to communicative technologies, such as wikis. e further states that, today, there are professionals who already use wikis and on-line communication to work on projects for their their job or as part of their college education Laureate Education, Inc., 2008). Later, there will come a point where this is a skill that employers will expect prospective employees to already know and use.

As a contemporary educator, it is my goal to stay abreast the latest technologies and try integrate them into meaningful lessons that will blend with the content areas that I reach.

References:

Laureate Education Inc. (Executive Producer). (2008). (Dr. Thornburg, Speaker). Program: 7. In “Understanding the Impact of Technology on Education, Work and Society” [Educational Video]. Los Angeles: Solution Tree.

Partnership for 21st Century Skills

http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/

http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/route21/

http://www.publicschoolinsights.org/node/2343