As an educator I am constantly recreating my curriculum delivery methods and techniques in which to evaluate my students in an effort to help further familiarize my students with 21st century technology skills. After perusing http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/index.php , a website entitled Partnership for 21st Century Skills, I was further enlightened as to how critical teaching technology tools is becoming to our nation’s future. According to Partnership for 21st Century Skills, “Current 21st century tools include computers, networking and other technologies, plus audio, video, and other media and multimedia tools.” (Partnership for 21st Century Skills)
After spending some time on the website several thoughts came to mind. One, why is my school and state not a member of the partnership? I feel we should be. This site is jam packed with brilliant thought, research based strategies, implementation ideas, etc. The website boasts a well thought out and organized set of student outcomes and support systems. Some of the outcomes included, Flexibility and Adaptability, Initiative and Self Direction, Learning and Innovation, Information, Media, and Technology Skills, and Core Subjects and 21st Century Themes. (Partnership Website) All of these are critical skills to becoming, as Dr. Dede puts it, “fluent in a virtual literacy.” (Laureate Education, 2008) Two, I was pleased with all of the emphasis placed on diversity within the Partnership for 21st Century Skill’s framework. Our nation operates on a global scale now, not simply a national scale. Our students need to learn to appreciate and respect other cultures because most current day work environments are a smorgasbord of ethnicities.
I was surprised by the long list of businesses involved with this website. Businesses such as Walt Disney, Verizon, and LEGO were unexpected members. I equally surprised at how short the list was of states that were members of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills; I envisioned a much longer list. To reiterate, it was disappointing that my own home state of Texas was not on the list.
One aspect of the website I did have some disagreement with was the fact that there seemed to be more emphasis placed on subjects such as Global Awareness, and Civic and Health literacy than there was on subjects such as history and math. While subjects like Global Awareness are unquestionably important, I feel one must still have a solid background in history, English, and social studies to fully appreciate the freedoms and technological innovations we enjoy today.
What implications does that leave for me, as a teacher, and my students? As an educator, I have the responsibility to step up the technology used in my classroom. My students need to be expected to use it more as a tool for things such as research, creativity, communication, etc. It will be my job to guide them through the processes of how to accomplish these tasks while acting as a facilitator in an effort to aid them in becoming, “self-directed learners.” (Partnership Website)
References:
Laureate Education, Inc., (Producer). 2008. Technology interfaces [Motion Picture]. Understanding the Impact of Technology on Education, Work, and Society. Baltimore: Author
Partnership for 21st Century Skills. (n.d.). A report and mile guide for 21st century skills. Washington DC: Author. Retrieved from http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/downloads/P21_Report.pdf
Website: http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/index.php
I was also disappointed to see that my state (Utah) was not on the list of participating states. However, it came to me as no surprise that many large corporations are taking an active role in the Partnership of 21st Century Skills. “As the world grows increasingly complex, success and prosperity will be linked to people’s ability to think, act, adapt, and communicate creatively” (Partnership, 2004). Business leaders want their future employees to have 21st century skills to maintain their ability to compete globally. In order to do so, our students must be taught how to use technology to enhance their learning and their ability to think critically. Integrating technology in the primary education classrooms will help the “digital generation” understand how to use various forms of technology to communicate effectively outside the four walls of a classroom. Do you think the large corporations play a role in which states participate in this partnership? Without the pressure from corporate America, some states may take a passive role in recognizing the need for implementing a curriculum complete with 21st century skills.
ReplyDeletePartnership for 21st Century Skills. (n.d.). A report and mile guide for 21st century skills. Washington DC: Author. Retrieved from http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/downloads/P21_Report.pdf