I was particularly fascinated with the 21st century skills website. I initially clicked on the video on Math at the pond since my content area is Math to view the video. I was impressed with the way the teacher had those elementary students busy in her math class. This is one way of looking at math in the real world. We expect that children must learn the six basic areas of math in number systems but had we previously connected it to their everyday life? She made very good use of the smart board in her daily routine. I was impressed that these students were so engaged and behaving quite responsibly in carrying out their everyday routines. In such a situation you find students who want to come to school everyday because they want to know what fun thing are we going to do today. It helps them to be more responsible and to feel valuable.
While exploring the website I realized that this practice was in West Virginia. The State Superintendent of Schools in West Virginia in 2007 proposed his initiatives and executed his plan to prepare more students for success in the 21st century. He reiterated our general concern as teachers which always is are we really preparing our students for success in a competitive world? Our students are competing with other students from other nations, for instance Japan and Korea where they have resources at their convenience also discipline. Are we giving our students the edge, the advantage for success? This made me think of the teacher who has been teaching Algebra for thirty years using the same lesson plans, not using manipulatives and that is their idea of teaching success. How does this method help students who are kinesthetic or visual learners? I believe we are shortchanging our students.
I gave my students a group project to do recently and my coworker walked in and saw them on task. She commented by saying I never use manipulatives let alone projects in my room. I have no time. It made me go HMMMMM... And we are preparing our kids for 21st century work environment. Her approach may work for her since she only has the honors kids but can I really do that with students who have learning and behavioral issues. I don't think so.
In summary I appreciated this article because it gave a detailed insight of what it really takes to prepare students for success in the 21st century. There were even professional development outlines that could be shared on our mandated PD days. I think it is a good idea, that way we actually learn something useful on such days.
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Nicky,
ReplyDeleteDid you view the video with the teacher form Georgia, Vicky Davis? She had stated that we need to empower our students and that many times teachers feel that they need to know everything about something before they begin teaching their students. She said that we should not feel this way, that we should allow our students to discover things for themselves, and this will enable them to teach us along the way. I found this very inspirational. I have been postponing blogs and wikis until I feel comfortable, but now I am ready to give it a go! I think this philosophy blends well with what you are saying about your students with learning and behavioral issues. By letting them explore and discover things for themselves, and then take that new knowledge and teach us something new, will not only give them a sense of empowerment, but also a sense of pride.
I agree with you. My students are actually looking forward to writing blogs and doing projects using wikis. I did a project last Friday with them and I realized that we could have made it into a wiki. I am a little apprehensive about creating it with them but after reading your response I believe that I should just go right ahead. We could always try to fathom through our mistakes. I am in the process of setting up my classroom on eChalk.com.
ReplyDeleteI think that even though she has honors students, it would still be beneficial to use the technology available and allow the students to collaborate. I think that all students benefit from the use of technology and projects. Those types of lessons allow honors students to be pushed to a new level of learning, while helping the lower level learners at the same time. One of the things that I love about using the technology in my room is that it is a differentiation tool in itself. I can use it to teach students skills they need for the 21st century at the pace they are ready for them. The students who are ready for me can explore and learn more, while other students can do the minimum required.
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