This week one of our assignments was to explore the website of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills. My first reaction to the website is that it is overwhelming. There is SO much information. Also, it is presented in a very monotone, drab format. That said, I think after sifting through some of it, the information presented is important. Paying attention to changing trends in workplaces should logically help us plan new strategies in our teaching.
Most of the information in the site wasn't surprising, as it focused on technology and collaboration skills. A few things did surprise me though. First, I was surprised that health literacy was added to the list of core subjects. I do not disagree with the addition, but I am surprised that it was included. With the overall decline of heath in our country, it definitely needs to remain on the core subjects list. Second, some of the Strategic Council members surprised me. I expected companies like Dell, Blackboard, and groups like the NEA to be a member but other members were not ones I would have thought would participate. Specifically, Ford, Lego, and Disney are surprising.
So far, I have not found anything on the site that I disagree with. Most suggestions follow a logical process of analyzing changes in work environments and changing educational practices to prepare students for such changes.
So what are the implications for teachers and students? I think the main implication is that MANY teachers need an entirely new mindset when it comes to teaching this new generation of students. I think about things I am learning in my courses and compare these ideas to things I see happening in my school and I know that things need to change. One example that stands out for me is a recent SIT meeting I witnessed at my school last week. One of our newer staff members started making suggestions about a school website where teachers can post homework and pertinent information for parents and students to access. A few of the older teachers nearly bit this new staff member's head off. The response was a stern "NO. It's more work for me. Some of my students don't have internet access. It's a waste of time." Honestly, watching this was really sad. Our new staff member tried to suggest several different ways to compromise and make less work for the teachers, only to be shot down each time. Coincidentally, the close-minded staff members doing the shooting down were the same ones that I have often wondered why they haven't retired yet. While it is important not to take an ageist stance, something needs to be done to help older teachers who may be burnt out get excited about changing practices. The education that was sufficient 20 years ago no longer makes the grade and teachers need to realize this.
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ReplyDeleteTandrea,
ReplyDeleteI can picture the tension during your school's faculty meeting. It makes me giggle because it is the same tension I feel in our meetings when new teachers make suggestions. Mainly because new teachers are bringing new change and I think that new change is good, as long as it is beneficial. A lot of veteran teachers at my school use an ACTIVboard and after they started to use it, they wondered how they ever taught without it. I think that teachers need to be open to new change and new ideas because technology is going to continue to change and bring new ideas into the classroom.
Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. The issue of resistance to technology is not entirely an age issue. It is an issue where teachers are not open minded. It just so happens that in my school, the teachers who are close minded about technology also happen to be the older teachers. My principal is just starting her first year as a principal and is very open to the change and is working for our school to get as much technology as possible. I think my school is taking a step in the right direction but more still needs to be done.