The first item I noticed about this web site of the “Partnership for 21st Century Skills” is how similar it is to other web sites and videos I have viewed at Walden and other educational institutions in regard to incorporating 21st century skills in our curriculums. Aside from the content in these sites, it is important to realize the people, organizations, and businesses creating them. I feel they should be involved in the educational system and employment of our students.
The real surprise is that Connecticut, the state I teach in, is not on the state initiatives list with this organization. After viewing the “Connecticut State Department of Education” web’s site I was able to locate the following link: http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/lib/sde/pdf/ssreform/studentsuccessplan_essential_rec_color.pdf
This is titled: “Connecticut State Department of Education Student Success Plan: Model Criteria and Recommended Elements Rigor – 21st Century Skills – Engagement”. One the references listed on this site is, “Partnership for 21st Century Skills”. Both web sites basically state the same information in regard to 21st century skills students should acquire.
This is titled: “Connecticut State Department of Education Student Success Plan: Model Criteria and Recommended Elements Rigor – 21st Century Skills – Engagement”. One the references listed on this site is, “Partnership for 21st Century Skills”. Both web sites basically state the same information in regard to 21st century skills students should acquire.
There is not much to disagree with on the sites. I feel there are issues and problems when trying to incorporate these skills in all disciplines. For example, math teachers must cover their curriculum and teach to the state tests. I can see where it would be difficult to incorporate the 21st century skills in this situation. These skills can be incorporated and taught in the Technology Department, (old Unified Arts) and other similar departments. For this reason it is important that school district’s budgets support these departments. In this economy we have seen budget reductions, layoffs, and total closings of these departments. If we continue the budget reductions at this rate, in the near future teachers will only be teaching to state tests and students will be deprived of the 21st century skills needed for a successful future.
What are your thoughts concerning the economy and budget cuts and how this can have an effect on the 21st century skills?
Hi Joe,
ReplyDeleteI noticed my state was not on the site either, but are adopting the CCSS. I met with my curriculum director today. I feel the same way you feel. Teachers need and want to prepare our students for the 21st century, (that is what this degree is about :))but resources are an issue. I am learning some very valuable tools to take back to my classroom through this process, but I worry about my peers. How will they know about blogging or wikis? I do think this site provided some possibilites for professional development. I think as we get closer to this all being the national baseline we will begin to see more and more sites like this one.
Joe,
ReplyDeleteAs a math teacher, I appreciate the shout out. The pressure placed upon of is burdensome. The plethora of standards that we are "supposed" to have the students master is our beast of burden. Although, any good educator can find ways to integrate 21st century skills into their curriculum, it is very difficult to find the time to do so. Student apathy towards mathematics seems to be the major obstacle because of what is being asked of them is a bit much.
The push of the integration of technology into our classrooms can be very frustrating when there is no money to do so. The first thing that I learned about education is that it is a very poorly run business. Districts seem to be ran very inefficiently, but unlike a business, closing the doors isn't an option. Districts must make do with what they have. Since education is government run, I have no idea of a simple solution to this problem.
Joe,
ReplyDeleteI do not teach math, but I have many friends that have the same questions about integrating these skills into the math content. I recognize what Allen has said in his post. There is a ridiculous amount of material for math teachers to cover. I do not know, but I am curious about how problem-based learning would fit in to a math class. Formulas by themselves had very little meaning to me when I was in school. I could plug in values and find answers. Later in high school, when we were working with scenarios, I struggled making the connection between the formulas I had learned earlier in my education and these real world problems. I wonder if it would be beneficial to find ways to make all of it relevant from an early age for students such as myself. The "cause you have to" approach to teaching still worked on me in the late 80's and early 90's, but I know it does not work now.
Have you ever done cross-curricular projects? I am very interested to see how other teachers go about relating their own content with everything else students are learning. I just started teaching a video technology class this year, and I can see many ways to bring in social studies and language arts, and I believe it incorporates these 21st century skills that we have been discussing. I am still trying to figure out the other pieces, but I believe it can be done.
I was also very shocked that my state, Georgia, was not on the state initiatives list. You are right. The objectives on the website do correlate with other websites concerning curriculum. I also wish that more teachers were involved in the decision making process. It is great that the community is involved, but teachers are the individuals who know what it takes for our students to excel. I think that all of the skills are needed by our students because they are going to need them in order to compete in a global society. As a math teacher, there is so much pressure to make sure that students pass the state test in the spring. As far as most schools and districts are concerned, test scores measure teachers' effectiveness. I will embrace the idea as I do with most changes in education because I want all of my students to be exposed to all facets of education.
ReplyDelete