This website was very interesting to me as I began to explore what all it had to offer. With me teaching in the 21st century, it was exciting to see a partnership that supports 21st century education and the many resources this site had to offer educators. In order for students to be successful in the 21st century, a framework has been established. This framework is based upon 21st century standards, assessments, curriculum and instruction. In order for our students to be successful in the 21st century, as educators, we need to follow this framework.
As I explored this site, I enjoyed watching some of the videos that showed 21st century teaching. As I am a visual learner, this was very good for me because it gave me an example to go by and it showed me what 21st century teaching/learning looks like. I also enjoyed watching the teacher of the year video. I only watched a few minutes of it but what I heard was very intriguing to me. One comment that Mrs. Sara Wessling made was "we must meet students where they are." This is a very true statement. We can not expect students to come to where "we" want them to but yet as teachers, we need to meet them exactly where they can function and learn. I really enjoyed listening to Mrs. Wessling because she made some great statements that many teachers need to take with them into their classroom in order to become 21st century teachers. Another thing she said was that we need to teach to the student and NOT the test. I know that in my own teaching, I am guilty of teaching to the test and not the student. One reason is that I know that I am accountable for the end of the year testing but as Mrs. Wessling mentioned, if I teach to the student then they should be able to take the test because I taught them on their level and ability. This something that I am going to have to work on in my teaching because it seems that everyone is saying, "teach to the test"!
Something that I took away from this site was that in order for my students to come 21st century learners, I need to become a 21st century teacher and that starts with me becoming familiar with 21st century learning and the framework provided. I hope that through this course and the remaining classes in graduate school that I can learn to become a 21st century teacher.
Any suggestions for how to become a 21st century teacher?? :)
Tiffany,
ReplyDeleteI too am guilty in teaching to the test. I think that school districts and states put so much pressure on the teachers that we forget what our ultimate goal is, that of providing an education that is tailored to our students. Each student has a different learning style and their own needs and to make them productive in the 21st Century we need to recognize that and teach to them and not the test. If we do our jobs right, they will succeed. Great blog on recognizing what it means to be a 21st Century teacher.
Tiffany,
ReplyDeleteI applaud your insight in recognizing that we first must evolve into 21st century teachers. This course has already enlightened me to so many aspects of technology and the impact that it will have on our future generations.
Embracing the framework in the Partnership for the 21st century skills, I often reflect back on my early years of education and my constant yearning for "the connection." This memory remains with me as I strive to make learning relevant. Connection, is the true core to learning.
The digital era will demand the development and implementation of a new infrastructure in the educational system. I say hooray!!
Tiffany,
ReplyDeleteWell said! Each of us are guilty of teaching to the test, but when our districts, states, and even nation put so much emphasis on standardized testing as a way of evaluating the educational system we don't really have much choice. In my state, we have a saying, "Teach the TEKS (our curriculum) and the TAKS (the test) will take care of itself".
As far as embracing 21st century skills in our classes, again Well Said!" we must meet the students at their level, not where they are supposed to be. I know I have to re-teach technology skills that should have been learned in previous grade levels.
In how to continue developing our skills, those of us in this course are already well on our way to helping our students achieve those needed 21st century skills, but we still need to work on developing more and the only way I can see doing it is by continuing to explore technology on our own such as Atomic Learning, or seeking out staff development opportunities.
Mindy you are exactly right...now that we are already on our way to helping our students gain those 21st century skills, we still need to better ourselves through professional development opportunities involving technology.
ReplyDeleteTiffany,
ReplyDeleteOne particular aspect of the the P21 website that I found useful was the alignment of P21 initiatives with specific state standards. Not only did they discuss how you needed to create technology standards, the website went a step further and gave teachers great ideas about specific ways to implement technology in the classroom. One area I always feel overwhelmed with is okay, I have all this technological knowledge, how can I implement this in my classroom? P21 and states have worked together to give teachers specific examples of how to teach to a standard using technology.