Conversations on 21st century skills
March 9, 2008
This week I am speaking to curriculum leaders in my district; I will be speaking to them about ISTE’s revised NETS for students and how they lend themselves to 21st century skills. On Friday I was surprised to have someone tell me my conversation should be one of explanation, there exists a need for me to explain 21t century skills and their place in our thinking as we go through the curriculum review process. What struck me as odd is the fact that this will be a NEW conversation in my district. That teachers in my district are not aware of what 21st century skills are, or why those skills / standards put forth through ISTE should have an impact on classroom practice. Am I so out of step to think this should not be a new conversation? I do not pretend to be at the forefront in educational thought, but I have known about the push for classroom reform to incorporate creativity, global awareness, diversity, critical thinking, problem solving, and digital citizenship for some time now. The NEA is a contributing partner in the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, teachers from across the US and 22 other countries worked to update the NETS Standards for students. I guess that is why I am surprised that I have to define what 21st century skills are on Monday. In the state of Pennsylvania, for the past three years PDE (PA Dept of Education) has funded $200 million dollars for Classrooms for the Future, a grant described in short this way:
Pennsylvania is committed to creating schools that can change to meet the needs of students by providing instruction grounded in rigor and relevance that prepares students for career and college. Our society has transformed into what Thomas Friedman refers to as a “flat world” — a global marketplace that is highly competitive and where every citizen has immediate access to unlimited information and to an abundance of continually newer and better services and goods. This environment demands that one possess 21st century skills such as collaboration and problem solving and the ability and knowledge to use technology resourcefully as both a consumer and a worker. High school students are poised to enter the global marketplace or to continue their education beyond preK-12 and it is our obligation to prepare them, within a short window of opportunity, for a “flat world” in which opportunities for jobs and higher education are highly competitive. By focusing on high schools, we will be providing these critical 21st Century skills while expanding learning opportunities, creating relevant and personalized information-driven learning environments, and ensuring in the success of these students. Pennsylvania is committed to creating schools that can change to meet the needs of students by providing instruction grounded in rigor and relevance that prepares students for career and college.
Are conversations regarding preparing students for their future taking place in your schools? Do people elsewhere understand what 21st century skills are, and the importance they hold for all students, for that matter, for all of us as the future unfolds?
Image Source Flickr user: oberazzi (Tim O’Brien)
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March 9th, 2008 at 10:24 am
As a classroom for the future teacher, we obviously know about it (have to take classes as prescribed by the state). As my Master’s is in Authentic Instruction, I took discussion of David Warlick on my own to search for more information. Since then I have been reading and blogging and realizing that I am late so to speak to many of the conversations.
My colleagues, however, must believe that this is just another new fad or mandate and have not taken this quite to heart yet. And the parents, their resistance to technology and the shift in education is appalling. The fact that my principal is keeping the controversy far away from me shows his support. Students are split – many want worksheets back, others know they are learning more.
Unfortunately, what is tied to the grants creates animosity in the districts. I however, considered it a tremendous opportunity for personal and professional growth. What does it take to change this? Perhaps if teachers were more critical thinkers and blogs were required for professional development it would make a difference. It did for me!
I am anxious to hear your thoughts.
March 9th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Louise, I don’t know what it will take to change and this is where my frustration lies. I agree whole-heartedly, this is a tremendous opportunity for personal and professional learning, and maybe that is where I am stuck. I find it hard to believe everyone doesn’t look for personal and professional growth. Why don’t people reach out for new ideas, new tools to use to engage students, or for that matter to stretch their own thinking, to broaden their own learning?
No one can deny the world is a different place, yet we continue to teach students the way we were taught. Lectures, notes, quizzes, tests, five-paragraph essay, read a passage and answer the questions, do the lab report, do the problems for homework, major research paper, in a 20th century model. I suppose the other aspect of my frustration is why is it ok for others to think this is a fad and therefore they are able to make the choice not to pay attention? I wish I had answers, but I don’t. I am curious how others are successful in moving their teachers forward in doing what will be necessary for all students to be successful in their future, not our past. Thank you for your thoughts.
March 9th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
I think part of the problem is that 21st Century has become just another buzzword. These buzzwords tend to be passed around like everyone does or should know what they mean. I believe this is also a classic case of water not getting to the end of the row. While the terminology may be familiar to those working at higher levels in districts, the concepts have not been widely explained to teachers who we are expecting to be teaching the skills and concepts to students.
The biggest problem with this of course is that we are now over 7 years into the 21st century and so few are aware.
March 9th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
You are right Kelly, the biggest problem is that we are in the 21st century and so few know what the concepts we are talking about mean, and the implications on classroom practice. I am not sure where the breakdown is, or where the responsibility lies. I forward those conversations, but without support from administration in terms of what this translates to for teachers and curriculum I am not sure what if any impact my conversations have. Thanks for your thoughts.
March 10th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Hi Robin,
You began a good conversation at the curriculum council meeting. Teachers are starting to talk about the 21 Century skills but students are already using these skills! They often have to park their knowledge at the door of our classrooms, however, and suffer with their slow teachers. It’s not so much that we have to teach students the skills but rather allow them to use those skills to learn the things we cover in our content area classes. I gave the kids a link to a fun simulation of a skateboard park in our science class. Creativity in designing ramp configurations was not a problem. The ability to apply the technology was not a problem. Collaborating to show others how to view the bar graphs, change the gravity, or use the rocket boosters…not a problem. Thanks for all you do, Robin! You make me a better teacher!
Cathy
March 11th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Cathy, you are my hero!! You are fearless, will try anything you believe will help your students in their learning, even if you are not completely sure how it will turn out. You are willing to take risks, you allow your students to play an active role in the learning that takes place in your classroom, and you have seen how it pays off. You are right. I like what you say, students do have to park their knowledge at the door in many of their classes. Too many only see obstacles, reasons not to try something different. I believe strongly these conversations have to take place, thinking has to begin to shift, but it is difficult to stand in front of those 50 people month after month and continue to have the same blank stares looking back at me. Thanks for the comment, you are a great teacher on your own.