Welcome to the blog for the Emerging Instructional Technologies class! I hope you will find this class to be thought-provoking and helpful to improving your practice. I greatly look forward to partnering with all of you so we may further our learning.
I have established this blog for two key reasons- 1) So you may have the experience to blog using one basic tool, and 2) to have an online forum we may use to communicate and reflect upon class readings, presentations, and content.
Now.... it's time for a little practice on Blogger!!
The Partnership for 21st Century Skills has detailed recommendations for the types of Learning Environments that are conducive to student acquisition of 21st century skills. In light of these recommendations and the seven essential survival skills accrording to Tony Wagner, how should schools be restructured to better address them? Think about schools at the level which you work. What role could technology play? Share some thoughts below!
First, the american school system must acknowledge that the main goal of education is to teach students the seven essential survival skills. Once they establish the goal, then and only then can they begin the transformation towards a different style of education.
ReplyDeleteWhen placing the seven survival skills at the center, the school system can then use academic knowledge, current situations, theories, and life skills to develop the students abilities. These survival skills have been needed since the beginning of man, and most likely will continue to stay the same; although careers, academics, sciences, technologies, and world events drastically change. We can substitute the way we teach the survival skills, using emerging technologies, outdoor classroom concepts, “flipping classrooms”etc., but the survival skills remain the overall goal of education.
By having the seven essential survival skills at the forefront of education, we can move to an understanding that education is not a period in one’s life, but more importantly can be life-long and can include everything, not just basic subjects of the enlightenment. It can be develop students in such a way that learning (not academia) but just basic knowledge and developing one’s self, is intrinsic.
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ReplyDeleteI find it interesting that the Partnership presents a broder and more encompassing definition of "learning environment". Typically, the concept(s) of "learning environment” covers place/environment and space (e.g., a school, a classroom, a library, an online learning community, etc. as the article outlined). The definition of learning environments here however also encompass relationships that create a supportive environment for every child’s development, with an understanding that learning environments can be understood as support systems that organize the condition in which humans learn best–systems that accommodate the unique needs of every learner and support the positive human relationships needed for effective learning.
ReplyDeleteIn sum, the Partnership suggests that learning environments are the structures, tools, and communities that inspire students and educators to attain the knowledge and skills the 21st century demands of us all.
These stated notions are consistent with my long-developing views and opinions that for maximum effective learning to occur,cognitive and environmental factors (e.g., "brain based learning" principles, etc,), as well as emotional and related psycho-social factors. In other words, considering "the whole child" in the context of learning situations.
I agree, Frank. The whole "learning environments" is not just about bricks and mortar. It's about what we're actually doing with our kids! To get to the heart of true engagement (and hence a lot of the 21st century skills or Wagner's "survival skills," we must use strategies that encompass the whole child, namely project-based learning that permits the 3 Cs, particularly creativity!!
ReplyDeleteI have to start off by sharing a recent experience:
ReplyDeleteFrom March 2013 to May 2013 I was employed with Springfield Public Schools as a high school math tutor for the MCAS exams. I worked with about twenty students to prepare them for the math MCAS exams. Students were removed from their math class for two months, and assigned to tutors for extra assistance. For two months, we reviewed Geometry (and algebra) questions that have appeared on previous MCAS exams.
During my time at the school, people were worried and concerned about the MCAS tests. For TWO whole months, all I heard was “we are counting down to the test!” (This may have started earlier, I only joined them in March). The students were worried about passing the exam and teachers were concerned because they would be evaluated based on the results of their students. Sadly, I have seen this before- In New York, we prepared students for Regent Exams. In Connecticut, it was the CAPT exam.
About the readings:
I am very familiar with the term 21st Century Skills. For years, I have heard that we need to develop critical thinkers, with excellent collaboration skills, innovation, creativity etc. As of now, students are still required to take standardized high-stakes assessments to demonstrate their mastery of “core academic subjects”. Sadly, the tests are a top priority, and teachers feel limited to “teach to the test”.
How should schools be restructured to better address 21st Century Skills?
I think the curriculum and state assessments need to be restructured around the acquisition of 21st century skills and essential survival skills. Essentially, if we change the end requirement (state assessments) from a standardized test to an individualized project, we can change the process of learning. For example, instead of preparing students for a state exam, we can prepare students “to solve a problem” in their community. Or collaborate with a student in another country to solve their problem. This way students can demonstrate their ability to utilize 21st century skills (think critically, collaborate, communicate, innovation etc.)
From my experience, teachers love projects. Project-based learning keeps a lot of students engaged, but unfortunately projects take a lot of time. Teachers have a timeline and a schedule of the standards that have to be covered prior to the “state exams”. Teachers are not evaluated on their ability to create exceptional projects, or their ability to cultivate a safe learning environment; an environment where students take risks and make lots of mistakes. Teacher are evaluated on their ability to teach their students how to PASS THE TEST.
What role could technology play?
We can use technology to differentiate and personalize learning. For instance, something as simple as a smart phone with multiple applications, can give students the autonomy to control their own learning. Technology prepares students to be life long learners because it extends learning beyond the four walls of the classroom.
I am sorry, I didn't realize I wrote this much! I have strong feelings about this issue.
ReplyDeleteYeukai- I can tell! :) Good ideas above. It is true... technology can definitely play a role in individualizing instruction and assisting the process of project-based learning.
ReplyDelete