After reviewing the Partnership for 21st Century Skills website what I liked most was
the layout of the homepage and the online tools and resources available for educators. I also liked that you were able to browse by grade level and by community.
The tabs were easy to follow and navigate through the different sections. The online tools tab provided various resources for 21st century education. I particularly like the Route 21 snapshots that illustrate how 21 century skills are being used in today’s classrooms. The detail how each skill is being taught in the content of a core subject as it relates to 21st century skills.
Reaching the lower income families with technology has always been an issue. A teacher in North Carolina, Mary Scroggs's, makes sure no one lacks access to technological advantages, families without the means to buy their own computers are loaned Internet-access devices for their homes. These gadgets, financed through the BellSouth, are not full computers (no data or applications can be stored), but they give students and their families access to a range of Internet sites, email, computer software, and the student's school folder. (Curtis, 2002) This method should be research by all districts that have low income families that cannot afford the latest technologies in their home.
In the article Teacher Evaluation a Starting Point for Action, Richard Rothstein states "do not use teacher value-added measures for high-stakes decisions, or for naming and shaming." Rothstein cautioned, "There are serious consequences of using one measure when you know it's not the whole picture, because it distorts the institution of education." (Rubenstein, 2010) State testing can not be used as a measure for teacher evaluation. There are too many variables that effect theses test. To even begin to discuss merit pay for teachers based on these scores is ludicrous. “In truth, the tests aren't so terrible in and of themselves -- it's just that we’re using them for giant purposes that way outstrip their narrow capabilities.” (Rubenstein, 2010)
The implications for me as a 21st Century Educator are we must stay current with technology. As teachers we need to embrace new and developing technologies, not run from them or pretend that they can’t help us or our students. If we want our students to be better informed and prepared for the workplace they will need to learn and apply these new technologies to real life situations.
Recources
Curtis, D. (2002, November 2). From curriculum to communication, a school immerses itself in tech.Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/fantastic-super-use-technology
Recources
Curtis, D. (2002, November 2). From curriculum to communication, a school immerses itself in tech.Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/fantastic-super-use-technology
I think What Mary Scroggs does is crucial for not only students from lower income but also those who have the Internet access already. This is because 21st-century skills include communication and collaboration. It is not right if these skills are acquired and implemented only among wealthy students. After all, the students who do not have the access to the Internet will also be stakeholders in the community, district, country, or global society. So as you mention, we need to take these students into consideration as well - not to mention, those children in the poor countries.
ReplyDeleteYoshio Kamakura
I agree with you about teachers being paid according to their students performance on state tests. This is ludicrous, as you put it. As educators we all know that we cannot place a student or teacher accountable for their knowledge based on one test during the year. I think too much pressure is placed upon students and teachers related to testing. If we would focus on teaching our students the 21st century skills that they need then our students would be better off.
ReplyDeleteEmily McGrath
I had never hear of Mary Scroggs and her initiative to have technology in the low income homes of NC. I will have to research more about this as I currently work in a community with little to no technology access at home. Do you have any contact information about this program? I am excited to learn and teach these 21st Century technology skills, but I know it can't be just a "school" idea. Parents, communities, and states must buy into the mindset financially supporting these programs otherwise, we will still struggle to grow in our ability to compete on a global platform. What needs to be cut financially in our local, state, and national budgets to allow us the finances for technology growth in our schools? With many other deep budget cuts in so many areas, these difficult answers need much time and consideration yet affect our nation's future for many years to come!
ReplyDeleteHi Kitty,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments. Yes, go to
http://www2.chccs.k12.nc.us/education/components/board/default.php?sectionid=10
select the link for Technology Cafe on the left. This will take you to the districts technology site.