I have spent some time navigating through a website called Partnerships for 21st Century Skills. I always search online for ways I can improve myself as a teacher. I am very surprised that I have never come across this website. This site made me think deeply about why teachers teach.
I am surprised that with all of the technological advances in the world that technology has not already become a part of every classroom. I do not think 21st century skills will be incorporated into every classroom until they are mixed into the state standards. The states that have partnered with this organization have changed state standards and assessments. They have also incorporated these skills into professional development programs for the teachers. The states are molding more effective educators and helping prepare students for the future at the same time!
I believe it is important for educators to prepare students for the real world. Schools should help prepare students to be effective citizens. In society we should all aim toward a common goal. The goal is educate children and prepare them for their future. These 21st century skills can easily be incorporated into everyday classroom instruction. The only problem is that teachers are not aware of these skills and all states have not made these skills a part of the regular curriculum.
In my classroom, I teach the material required by the state, but I also teach life skills that will prepare my students for the future. I wish I had known about this website in the past. I believe the skills they list for the students to know are essential in preparing them for the real world. In the future, I will use this website as a resource for preparing my students by teaching them 21st century skills.
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Reimagining: Reflective Practice
23 hours ago
Ashley, I agree with you that it is our jobs as educators to prepare our students for life after school. At my school I have not heard any mention of teaching many of the skills that they need in order to thrive in the workforce. My school is making an effort to update the classrooms in order to provide more opportunities for the use of technology in the classroom. However, I would like to see more focus put on those skills. I, too, plan to use this website in my own lesson planning in order to teach my students those skills that they need to experience success in the 21st Century workplace.
ReplyDeleteAshley,
ReplyDeleteI agree that unless 21st Century Skills become part of the standards, educators may not take the time to integrate them into lesson plans. It may seem hard and challenging at first, but that is how most things start out. The sooner 21st Century skills are required, then teachers can begin training on how to best use them.
With all the teaching resources available on the internet, finding information on 21st Century skills, for example, is much easier than it used to be. It would be great if the states could use online learning and maybe cut down on some of the cost of professional development to help educators become prepared to teach the 21st Century skills.
With names such as Apple computer Inc.,Microsoft Corporation, Cisco System Inc. and others as members of the Partnership for 21st Century skills, it is surprising as to why there are not enough technological tools in all the schools. The 21st century skills are really relevant and should be taught in every school. Teaching 21st century skills can be incorporated into the classrooms through the use different approaches and strategies in the teaching and learning process.Students can learn to demonstrate skills such as teamwork, collaboration, self-directed learning and others by assigning them project-base activities integrated in the current curriculum
ReplyDeleteI had also never heard of this website or 21st Centery Skills. I stated on my blog that I was excited to discover Ohio, where I teach, is one of the few states to 21st Century Skills to improve the teaching of technology to students.
ReplyDeleteThe school system where I teach is low income and many of my students come from some pretty unfortunate home lives. Each day I make it a point to teach my students character education. I make sure my students know the importantance of showing respect, saying please and thank you, do not interrupting other. I know these skills are important for their future and careers.
I feel that it is also important for me to make sure I model and use technology in my classroom everyday. Most of my students do not own a computer and would not have the opportunity to explore various technologies if it were not for experiencing it in the classroom.
My goal for my students will always be for them to learn what they need to know in order to be successful in the furute. I feel incoorperating 21st Century Skills into my classroom will aid in the success of my each student.