My initial reaction to this website was to feel a bit overwhelmed, but after taking some time to digest the material I found myself more interested in concepts presented. Reading through the graphic and skills definitions, I have to agree with the necessity to incorporate the 21st Century Skills framework into current framework. I think the biggest obstacle districts will face is the ability to adapt a 21st Century Skills curriculum without changing NCLB guidelines and obtaining necessary funding to upgrade schools to the 21st Century.
I was very surprised to find out in 2008, Iowa became the 7th state to pledged their support to developing a framework for 21st century learning outcomes. This surprises me because I do not recall learning anything about this during my undergraduate work. I obtained my degree in December of 2008 and while we studied the standards that included technology, the standards were not as detailed as the framework given on the 21st Century Skills web page. I am not sure if this is due to the fact that I am an Elementary education major and currently this initiative is for grades 9-12. However, this does concern me because according to the Partnership for 21st Century Skills web page for Iowa, they declare that this initiative is to eventually encompass K-12.
I really did not find anything that I disagree with, however I was a bit unhappy about the resources I found. Most sent me to links where it was necessary to purchase items. I did like the skills maps they offered which gave examples of lessons and assessments starting in 4th grade.
The initiative in Iowa, as well as other states, will mean that students will have an opportunity to better understand expectations of the workplace post graduation. As a teacher, I will have to make sure that my technology skills are up to par. I cannot teach what I myself don't understand.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
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3 comments:
Hi Janice,
I found the sight to be a thought starter. Interesting but I wanted to find more practical applications listed. I also found the links took me places to purchase things. In my situations more practical examples of how teachers are using the technology to achieve P21 skills would be more useful. I found it surprising to see the list of states with initiatives and my own state of California not there. In a state with many of the leading technology companies present I expected a presence there and found none. (Perhaps because so many are leaving to other countries where apparently, there are skilled workers with P21 skills? I am having a hard time believing that concept. I think cheap labor, taxes, and other benefits may be at least of equal draw). I do think, the latter consideration means that technology utilization in my classroom gives my students at least some chance in the business world, a familiarty with the culture of techhnology upon which to build. It may even be an imperative. I like you need to sharpen the tools in my bag of tricks.
Janice you raise good points that as an educator in Iowa and a graduate in '08, you should have seen or at least practiced some of the curriculum presented before your students from the 21st century skills movement. I think that as an educator we need to understand the resources available to us and also understand fully our state and district standards. I believe that we need to use this site to help us prepare students' but also complete what is required of us from our district stand point.
After posting my comment, I went back into my schoolwork from undergrad work and I did not find any information about the initiatives for elementary. However, I wonder if because the initial focus was for grades 9-12 this was only presented to secondary education majors. I would have like to have some information and/or instruction about this since the plan from Iowa's DE stated that these initiatives would expand to K-12.
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