21st Century Skills

While viewing the Partnership for 21st Century Skills website I came to a conclusion my teaching styles need to adapt to the changing student. I use to think the old school instructional way worked best because it worked wonderfully for me. Today’s students seem to have lower intelligence from year to year. Our school staff often discusses this topic. “Why are students not as engaged and lack basic skills these days? The answer to this question is, CHANGE. We are working with a new era of students. They are wired differently. They are considered digital natives, which means for us, our teaching styles need to adapt to their learning styles. If they are excelling in manipulating and exploring new and upcoming media sources, why don’t we expand from this already known information! Maybe we need to change and to educate ourselves in order to better suit the students of today and tomorrow.

Professional development is the area I need to expand in. I am learning through exploring these websites, but the old school girl in me still wants it presented to me. It is still hard for me to believe everything I read, this is why I see the significance of seeing it firsthand. Yes, I am old school, but I am willing to change for the better of my students.

This website is beneficial for Ohio teachers. Click on the county you teach in and check-out the professional development opportunities near you.
http://www.oesca.org/vnews/display.v/ART/2009/03/26/497dd16215824

This is an upcoming event in mid-Ohio if you would like to register: Technology Coordinators - 21st Centruy Skills https://events.moesc.k12.oh.us/classinfo.asp?id=2530

Lets Blog About It...

Well since we are not permitted to blog in our school I surveyed a number of students about their opinions of what types of activities "we" could do for each subject area if they had the opportunity to blog. I got a number of basic answers but I also received a few creative ideas. Ideas such as omitting book reports for English class. Teachers could score students on participation and quality of information included in their blog. One girl added this would be the GREEN way to do it. For sure! Speech classes could debate a topic without feeling the face-to-face pressure of verbally debating in class. In history, students could pick an era and blog back and forth carrying on a conversation as if they were living back in the specified time. Government classes said the could hold a mock trial, assign duties, have 10 jury members and the rest would either be prosecutors or defendants. Jury members could post the questions trying to get all the answers needed to solve the crime. Students had difficulty being creative with science and math activities since there are hardly any opinions in those subjects. It's either right or wrong.
How do you incorporate blogging into your class? If you don't, what would you do? Math teachers... what activities have you done? Does anyone have any negative stories from blogging in school? I would love to hear good and bad or any key suggestions I need before I attempt it.
Thanks, Stephanie

What Will Teaching be Like in 10 Years?

What will teaching be like in 10 years? Will textbooks be obsolete? If so, what will low income families do if they do not have technology resources at home? What about primary grades? Or will textbooks only be omitted in the secondary areas? Will students even learn cursive handwriting? It amazes me when my high school students ask me to print on the overhead or dry erase board because they can't read it. How will they sign their name on a check or will they need to? It could be a strange world with little face to face interaction one day. What are your thoughts, I'd love to hear them.

How well equipped are you and your school?

How well equipped is your school with technology? Is your school ready for the 21st Century style of learning and students? Is your school holding you back or are you hold yourself back? I am a little bit of both of those. Our school does not allow blogging and does not recommend chatting with students outside of the classroom, too many legal issues, which is a shame. I also need to educate myself further to be prepared for the day when textbooks might disappear. I would love to hear your insights.