Evaluating 21st Century Skills

My exploration of the Web site, Partnership for 21st Century Skills , enlightened me about the mission of this organization which is to build collaborative partnerships between education, business, community, and government leaders to promote 21 century skills. The framework that has been developed clearly states student outcomes that will help them achieve 21st century skills to become productive workers in a global economy. I was surprised to see the vast numbers of businesses coming together to help usher in this movement. It just shows the seriousness of how these businesses want students who are capable to work in a changing society.

I was surprised at all of the resource links that are provided to help teachers meet the challenge of preparing students. There is a link addressed to Bloom’s taxonomy to help teachers develop higher order thinking skills. In addition, the Route 21 link allows the user to browse resources and also provides a synopsis of websites. The resources include core subjects, learning and innovation skills, technology skills, life and career skills and several others.

I believe the Partnership for 21st Century Skills is moving in the right direction for our society’s welfare. With the continued drive for 21st Century Skills, my students will be better prepared to enter a workforce with the necessary critical thinking, problem solving, technological and collaboration skills. My role as an educator is going to change. I will have to incorporate more project-based learning activities and collaboration activities using technology. It is my responsibility to ensure my students success as a citizen and worker in the 21st century.

Wikis

Wikis can be a great collaboration tool to use in education that helps build critical thinking and problem solving skills. However, there are several things to consider before using this technology in your classroom. First, slowly introduce the concept of a wiki and give students a small assignment that will lead them into writing and using the tools on the wiki. Second, assign each student a task in order to ensure that all students participate in the wiki experience. Third, set guidelines and discuss appropriate things that students should post to a wiki. Stress to students that anyone, anywhere will be able to see what is posted on a wiki, especially if the wiki is made availabe to the public. Last, set a time frame on when the wiki assignment should be finished to keep students on track.

Visit the following link to set up your free wiki today!

Wikispaces

New Technology from Microsoft

I found this Youtube video discussing new technology that is emerging known as surface computing. It is hands on technology without a keyboard or mouse. It is awesome seeing what is being developed and mind boggling to think how society is changing. Will we see this type of technology in our classrooms in the future?

Blogs in the Classroom

Blogs in the classroom is a great way for students to enhance their writing skills in a content area. Students can communicate their ideas in a blog and receive feedback from teachers and peers. Peers can ask the blogger questions to help them take their learning to a new level. By responding to questions students can develop critical thinking skills by reflecting on the questions asked.

I teach 9-12 computer classes. In Keyboarding and Desktop Publishing classes my students could post their work on a blog. By posting their work, students can receive feedback on the design and layout of their documents. In Desktop Publishing we focus on creating documents using appropriate design concepts such as focus, balance, consistency, contrast, proportion, directional flow and color. Instead of  receiving feedback only from the teacher, students can see each others work and provide feedback. In addition, topics related to standards covered during the week could be posted and students could discuss those topics in depth to increase their learning. Sometimes the best learning comes not from the teacher, but from a student's peers.

The Interwrite DualBoard and Me

I am still learning how to use the new technology in my classroom, the Interwrite DualBoard, at a snail's pace. There is just not enough time in my day to learn this technology as I would like too. I am the type of person that has to "do it" before I can feel comfortable using it. After three months I am still not fully comfortable using the Interwrite DualBoard. Yes, my students use this technology quite often to complete projects, and they are very comfortable with it. It amazes me the things they can show me that they can do with it, and they make it look so easy. I know the very basics of this technology, but I want to know so much more about it. I know if I could find the time to "play" with it, I would reach my comfort zone. I keep asking myself the same question. When am I going to be able to find the time to learn the in's and out's of this technology so I can fully integrate it into my classroom?

Technology and Change

Technology is constantly changing how we do things in our lives. When I was attending college in 1984 most of my essays were typed using a typewriter. When I had to make corrections, I used that awful correction tape that always alerted the reader that a mistake was made and fixed. Since that time computers have gradually crept into my life and through the use of word processors has made writing papers much easier. I can spell check, edit, and format all with the click of a button. Computers have become a necessary and welcoming tool. Not only do I use online banking and bill pay, but I teach using technology on a daily basis. Although students are growing up knowing how to turn on a computer and how to play games, most students do not know how to use the software programs (Excel, Access, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Publisher) that I teach until they enroll in my classes.

My classroom would be considered to be a technology rich classroom with twenty-five computers, three printers, a scanner, camera, Interwrite Board, and an Elmo at students disposal. Everytime a new technology enters into my classroom I am excited, but at the same time overwhelmed. With the duties of creating lesson plans, teaching, and adminstrative tasks that must be addressed, it is hard to find time to learn how to use all of this technology. A one-day inservice is not enough to fully comprehend the inner workings of these different devices.