The Partnership for 21st Century Skills is an impressive website. My first reaction was to think, oh my – this is the perfect information to send to my superintendent and principal. In reviewing the 21st century support systems, I feel a huge relief in seeing that this organization is well aware that teacher training is of utmost importance; it offers an abundance of resources. I am further impressed that the partnership consists not only of educators, but of business leaders and policymakers - emphasizing the awareness and importance of the project. I am encouraged by this website - change is at hand
I was surprised by the wealth of information that was provided by the partnership to start implementing 21st century skills within schools – for example, the Partnership’s MILE Guide Self-Assessment tool and the Partnership’s Route 21 plan. It is amazing that I am reviewing this information the very day that I scheduled a meeting with our district’s superintendent to talk about the information from this course and the need to tweak our curriculum. It is a pleasure to see resources for everything from the names of presenters to community press releases.
I am confused about a few things on the site. It appears that each state is being invited to become a P21 State partner. However, according to the site, each state is required to, “design new standards, assessments, and professional development programs… (and) to submit an application that outlines their commitment to and strategy for implementing a 21st Century Skills initiative within their state”. This seems like a monumental task.
The implications for my students would be more access to technology, access to teachers with expertise, and better preparation that will help them compete in a world market. What are the implications for me as an educator? It would appear that my master’s classes are just the tip of the iceberg. Getting district approval, training staff, and acquiring access to computers and other technology will take time, effort, and money. However, we should not procrastinate. While we are waiting, other states and countries are speeding ahead. We need to get started.
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Did you get the impression that the partnership is more geared to districts who already use technology heavily? What about schools who have have little to no money for technology? The partnership is trying to help Web 1.0 teachers become Web 2.0 teachers. What about Web 0.0 teachers? I think they should reallocate some of their efforts to help underfunded schools catch up with technology. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteI cannot agree with you more. I feel my district is rusty compared to other districts in other states who have access to this technology and who are already empowering their students with this knowledge. If we are to move together as one unit in this country, all schools need to have the same capabilities like resources and technology.
ReplyDeleteAs for "design new standards, assessments, and professional development programs… (and) to submit an application that outlines their commitment to and strategy for implementing a 21st Century Skills initiative within their state,” this does seem very monumental and timely. This could take tremendous energy and time to implement for all content areas across all grade levels. It does need to happen but models need to be set in place for everyone to follow.
sillymongoose13,
ReplyDeleteFirst let me tell you that I, too, am currently teaching at a Web 0.0 school. However, I will share some good news, we are about to move into a new building next year - with more technology! Yea, for us, right? Across the board, there is inequality in education. That is why my struggling readers with I.Q.'s of little higher than 70 are taking the same high-stakes reading test that the honors kids take. Unfair? Totally. Do I give up? Not on your life. Anyway, I feel your pain. Perhaps grants requests or getting our states' unions involved might help. Equitable funding has long been a problem; I wish I had the answer to that one!
Lori
Figspeaker,
ReplyDeleteI am not sure what state you are from, but I am from Ohio. Ohio is currently revamping their standards and indicators. One thing I will be doing is sending an email to the Ohio Department of Education to see if 21st century literacy skills will be part of that revamping. Hopefully, they are already on board with this. If not, you never know, I might just get them thinking. Good things happen from the ground up, right?
Lori