When I first browsed the homepage of Partnership for 21st Century Skills I was a bit overwhelmed. Then I saw the wonderful “FAQ” section, which was quite helpful! (Perhaps they should put that on their sidebar). The part of the site that most interested me was seeing which states have been working with the “Route 21 project.” I was glad (and proud!) to see New Jersey was on the website. I was a bit surprised that more states were not a part of this project. I am not sure if that is because other states are incorporating the 21st century skills “unofficially,” or they just haven’t joined with this project…or what.
Another tidbit I read under New Jersey’s professional development plans is that they are “Recommending a plan for phasing-in 21st Century Skills into teacher preparation programs that includes a requirement for demonstration of competency in criteria for accreditation (Route 21, 2007).” I think this is a fabulous idea. Why not start teaching these skills to future teachers while they are still in school already soaking up a vast amount of knowledge! Sometimes it is hard to teach an old dog new tricks, so to speak, so teaching skills to potential teachers is a smart idea.
“A balance of assessments, including high-quality standardized testing along with effective classroom assessments, offers students a powerful way to master the content and skills central to success (Partnership for 21st Century Skills, 2004).” I was so glad this quote was on the site. I firmly believe that alternate assessments and informal assessments are key to finding out our students’ retention of knowledge. State testing can only show so much, never the whole child. I know that state testing will never go away, but at least this partnership is recognizing that we can’t rely solely on the state testing’s spreadsheets.
I am excited to learn more of these skills, especially now that I know my state is pushing them into the areas of professional development for all future and current teachers. I am more than willing to take courses to find out how to best prepare my students for life. My question is…how will they get these new computer (or perhaps in-person) courses out to all current teachers when some districts barely have any form of technology in their own schools for students? Perhaps the NJ Education Association, local superintendents, the DOE (and the many other collaborators listed on the site) are already figuring that out…
By the way…check this out it’s quite interesting: http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=185
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8 years ago
Erica,
ReplyDeleteGreat blog. I also feel that teacher preparation courses need to teach the implementation of these 21st century skills into the classroom. I just graduated from college 5 years ago, and the only use of technology that we learned was how to make a power point presentation. As I think back, we may have had some courses that talked about using 21st century skills like problem solving, critical thinking, and collaboration in the classroom. But overall it was not emphasized that much. And also none of the professors were using this in their instruction. As the nation as a whole begins to push for the use of these skills in our classrooms, they need to also start at universities. By giving the future teachers of this country the exposure to these skills, they are more likely to use them in the classroom. These teachers could them be a big help to other teachers in the building who are struggling in bringing these skills in the classroom. And finally, we need more professional development to show how to use these skills in the classroom. At our teacher meetings, they throw out these words, but they give no examples of how they could use them. I feel that teachers would make the changes necessary to help our students adapt as citizens and workers in the 21st century if they were exposed to some new methods.
One thing I also noticed from your blog was that you state (NJ) was one of the states on the Route 21 Project. My state of Ohio is not. Have you noticed any changes to your states standards, curriculum, or assessments from this? I think this is a great site, and I was wondering the affect it is currently having on Route 21 Project members.
Sorry to copy and paste, but I just made a similar comment on someone else's board.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if it is just my naiveté, my district's technological awareness, or that NJ has just snuck in the 21st Century Standards without me even realizing! I wasn't surprised we were up there, as I know we have had technology standards for years, and have strove to integrate technology wherever possible. New Jersey is a leading state in education, and I was proud we were there, but integrating technology does not seem very new. Even when I was in elementary schools I recall my teacher having us do computer projects: power point presentations, research papers, brochures, etc. Nothing to the extent of what we all do now, but something.
Maybe it was just the districts I grew up in...
Regardless, I was also impressed with the amount of companies involved in this effort. THAT I haven’t been at all aware of. I’m not exactly sure the role of these companies, but I haven’t noticed any specific change in terms of Lego, HP, Ford, Pearson, etc.
Dear Erica, I like your blog. You are an excellent writer and finder of great sites. I checked the content and task view from the Partnership for 21st century and I zoomed right to the English. Although I am art, the English coincides and works equally as well with art planning and activities. Let me make mention to it here for the sake of teachers that partner up and coordinate lessons. Students are to choose their favorite magazine and look for a variety of ads for a product that they may like. They must analyze the techniques used by each company/manufacturer that sell the products.
ReplyDelete“Wow”, I thought, I teach seventh graders surrealism and searching through magazines to find elements of surrealism. We always discuss not believing everything they see and hear. 21st century learning does indeed incorporate ICT Literacy for their K-12 educational plan. I will be anxious to know if you are seeing their partnership involvement inside the confides of the New Jersey school system. It makes me happy to know Partnership for 21st century include the arts. They write in their “Learning for the 21st Century report and mile guide, “Knowledge and skills for the 21st century must be built on core subjects. Learning skills comprise three broad categories of skills: Information and communication skills, thinking and
problem-solving skills, and interpersonal and self-directional skills. All three exist inside the walls of my middle school art room.
This Partnership for the 21st century includes a section called Beyond the Bubble that discusses the future for assessing students. You made mention of this in your entry. Author Bill Tucker says states are adapting new technologies for testing. “A growing number of testing and learning experts argue that technology can dramatically improve assessment-and teaching and learning”. By using multiple forms of media, the assessments will allow graphic and visual representations for student to solve. The technology involved with this, from my understanding, is that the path that leads each child to solving the problem can be followed. This offers multiple ways for adapting and changing instruction! Wow. This certainly will reveal more about the child that we teachers can bring more effective teaching strategies to them.
Hi Erica,
ReplyDeleteI also felt a little overwhelmed when I started looking through the "Partnership for 21st Century Skills", but I did find there is a lot of good resources. I will probably spend some time exploring more of the resources available.
I was a little disappointed to see that my state was not a P21 Leadership state and wondered also why other states had not become part of this project.
Any education of new technologies for teachers, I believe, will help students gain skills needed for their future. I do not get technology training at my school, I have to attend professional development or learn skills from my master’s classes. I have learned so much just from the class that we are taking currently and I feel I have a lot to learn in the future. It is important, I feel, for schools to have resources like the "Partnership for 21st Century Skills".
PattyOS
Erica,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post. My state, Wisconsin, is also on the Route 21 Project, but like you, I see no current implementation in schools. The little technology that my school does have has been through referendums and private donations - not through state monies. Like you, I'm excited to see that the plan is to include more technology training for teachers when they are in college, because this an area that I felt my education was lacking (which is why I'm in this program).
Do you think we will ever see much (if any) funding through this initiative? I worry that it will turn out like NCLB - where the intent is great, but there aren't any funds to back it up.
I am interested in knowing more about how your district is emphasizing the 21st Century Skills. Sinc New Jersey is one of the states listed at the site; is there a statewide push to integrate these into the classroom? Is this phrase '21st Century Skills' used frequently in your district; or do you find, like your fellow classmate from Wisconsin, that this is all new to you?
ReplyDeleteWoW! I am so glad that I meandered over to your blog. I was wondering about states that had been adopted by the 21st Century Skills Program. In theory it sounds wonderful. Implementing is another story. I must say it is quite disheartening that a program only sounds wonderful. I guess it is not the miracle cure for all that I was looking for, to solve all the educational problems. Just Kidding.
ReplyDelete