There is a growing need for a serious dialogue about the need for 21st century skills and the future. Jim Bellanca blogged about this need on the Partnership for 21st Century Skills website. While reading his blog I found myself intrigued by his passion for the connection and angered by the gap in education and policy.
The Partnership for 21st Century Skills website was very user friendly. I found it easy to read with a prominent and succinct mission statement. There were links to great resources with many articles with current technology implications for classroom teachers. In addition to these helpful aspects of the website, they also have listed the state by state initiatives. It was eye opening to see what other states are doing to incorporate technology into their curriculums.
The information that I gained from the site was how we have to have the uncomfortable conversation in more states about “project based learning and integrating technology into instruction” (Bellanca, 2012). Few states have actually taken these factors into account. These changes must be made at the government or policy makers level however, “politicians are too busy saying no to each other than to think about such a piddling thing as the education of a nation that is more than at risk” (Bellanca, 2012). It is amazing to me that the politicians are so busy arguing about what to do about change instead of formulating a plan to address changes that must be made to move our future workers forward in the competitive global workforce.
Jim Bellanca, in his blog, offers ten practical suggestions to drive change in the classroom. They are; squeak, collaborate, communicate, push the envelope, investigate, stir the pot, think outside the box, connect with social media, emphasize best practices, and innovate. When first reading through his suggestions, my impression was that they were pretty bold statements and suggestions and implementing them might leave a teacher vulnerable to criticism from administration. This is due to the dissonance from traditional with traditional curriculum. However, upon reflecting and re-reading, the take away is that all of these suggestions can be implemented in a more subtle and seamless way. The conversation must be started by educators and by collaborating with each other I believe positive change can be achieved. It would be the first of many steps to drive improving upon technology curriculums that incorporate the ever important 21st century skills.
The implication of incorporating 21st century skills is that undoubtedly it is “more than making minor adjustments to current practice, innovative schools look to develop the talent of tomorrow with a new array of knowledge and skills suitable for their students’ future careers” (Bellanca, 2012). Is it not our job as teachers to do just that?
In conclusion, it is a big task to take on, change will not be instant but the dialogue must start and filter down from the policy makers to administration to the teachers. Even though it is an enormous task, I would like to think that by “thinking together, planning together, and acting together…one step at a time focused on dialogue about the shared action goal” (Bellanca, 2012), we can make a change.
Resources:
Bellanca, J. (2012). The driving question: How can we expand the dialogue about 21st century skills among those not yet engaged? Retrieved from http://www.p21.org/tools-and-resources/p21blog
Hi Melissa,
ReplyDeleteYou make an interesting point about “uncomfortable conversations”. In my school district, they are often referred to as “courageous conversations”. Either way, we need to talk more openly about what is not working in classrooms and why students are not achieving or leaving school prepared for the world of work. I disagree with you in one regard. You say that these conversations should start with policymakers and filter down to schools and classrooms. I would argue that those who believe it should be talking about it. As teachers, we have to power to make change in our own classrooms and schools by integrating technology and the critical 21st century skills that we know students need. As long as we are not neglecting the required curriculum and content for our classes, we are not going outside of the boundaries of our contracts. The Partnership for 21st Century Skills website (www.p21.org)provides the support that teachers may need to begin this process. If teachers are moving towards this goal while policymakers begin the conversations, perhaps the field of education will be able to close the gap between technology in the real-world and technology in the classroom.
Ellen
Ellen,
ReplyDeleteI do believe that as teachers we are talking about it on a small level (especially since it is only three other technology people in my building), I am just feeling a bit defeated because no one else seems to be addressing it in my school. My hope would be for my administrators to start to embrace the needed changes that have to take place in our curriculum to prepare our students. During a summer curriculum meeting I plan on bringing in the resources from the Partnership for 21st century skills and hope that they will allow some changes. Do you find that your administration is resistant to change as well?
Melissa
Melissa,
ReplyDeleteI too agree with the point Ellen made that the conversation need not begin with policymakers but should in fact begin with educators who are in the classroom, as they are more knowledgeable and aware of what is happening in the classrooms and have the ability to make changes in the classroom. Over the years policymakers have made changes to education which teachers have to make adjustments to ensure they work in the classroom. I believe policymakers and administrators need to make it easier for educators to upgrade their skills in the use of technology and to incorporate 21st century skills in their classrooms. Partnership for 21st Century Skills website is helping to bring this knowledge to educators and bridge the gap between the classroom and the work environment.
~Leonie
Hello Melissa,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your thoughts about Jim Bellanca's statements. There should be a better way to implement his ideas. As much as I want to implement and exercise my very own strategies in the classroom, I have to adhere to guidelines. These guidelines are worth considering too since they are based on research and experimentation. Nevertheless, as we try to "think outside the box", educators should take into consideration possible consequences of every action. In my opinion, education is progressing in such a fast pace lately. There is no need for drastic measures. All we need is a creativity, responsibility, and lots of passion for success.