Thoughts on Partnership for 21st Century Skills

To be completely honest I am still confused on what this organization does exactly. I have visited the site a few times in the past two days and while I think I understand the purpose and goals of the group, I am unsure what they are doing to achieve them. At first I was even confused about what the 21st century skills actually were, but after downloading the complete the full definitions document I understood better. The skills are basically the characteristics of what a productive successful adult looks like.

I almost feel like the language used on the site is partly to blame. As a person who doesn't learn well from reading, I felt my eyes glaze over when I started reading some of the pages. I like things that are direct, I do not need the fancy language. Tell me straight out what your goal is and what you are doing to achieve it on the home page and go in to more details with the various page. I feel like there is no one concise page to get that information and I had to do a lot of clicking reading and rereading to get the gist of this organization.

Or maybe I am just slow on the uptake? Did anyone else experience any of this confusion?

I think the most important thing this organization does is having business, education and politics comes together as one and work towards setting and achieving standards that are important for our students to become successful adults. All aspects of our society need to be on the same page. I was surprised, and impressed, by the list of organizations and corporations that are involved with the partnership. I think the variety of participants is a key in developing meaningful expectations.

I know our assignment asked if we disagreed with any information on the site, however, I keep going back to a concept I strongly agree with,and since I didn't find anything that I disagree with passionately I will discuss the positive idea. I The idea that assessments have to be readjusted as well as instruction. The site states, "Standardized tests alone can measure only a few of the important skills and knowledge students should learn. A balance of assessments, including high-quality standardized testing along with effective classroom assessments, offers students a powerful way to master the content and skills central to success." Our country relies to heavily on standardized tests as a measure of success, which is unfair to our students. Some bright students are just poor test takers. Or in my situation, I have students who come in reading at a kindergarten level and by the end of the year they are at a 1st grade level. Despite all the progress they make, the 3rd grade NJASK test is still out of many of their reach. Why do we deem them unsuccessful? The progress they made is significant and in my opinion a success for them. We need a variety of assessments that can give a more accurate picture of success.

As an educator facing these expectations of productive adults in society I think we all have to step it up a notch. I think as early as Preschool many of these skills can be addressed and built upon each following school year. All areas of the framework have aspects that can be addressed as early as age 4. Global awareness, creativity, appropriate socials skills and more are as important at age 4 as they are as adult. I think as an educator we have to up our expectations of our students. The idea of "good enough," has to disappear and replaced with an idea to always challenge them to look further into their work, into themselves.

Blogging for the Elementary Student

I think blogs could be an effective and fun way to engage students over the summer prior to them entering your class, although past students would always be welcome to interact as well.

The link can be given to students in the end of the year letter from their new teacher. The blog can begin as an ice breaker activity. This could be especially useful for students new to the district. In my school if a student enrolls over the summer they are given the teacher's supply list where the link could be included. Instead of walking in the first day not knowing anyone, the student may be able to connect names based on conversations they had on the blog. I would have students answer questions such as: What do you want to do during your summer vacation? What is your favorite/least favorite subject? What do you hope to learn in 3rd grade? Introduce yourself to me and tell me one interesting fact about you. In turn I could share some activities that 3rd graders get to participate in to build their excitement for the following year.

As the summer moves on the teacher can start discussions based on their own book recommendations or summer reading requirements. Students can even make their own recommendations of stories they have enjoyed reading. The blog posts can be an informal way for the teacher to begin to get a feel for students' abilities. In our class text, Dr. Richardson discusses the ability of blogs to allow students to collaborate with each other. In third grade we provide many opportunties for group work, through the use of blogs students can begin learning skills needed to be a successful group member. Blogs can help students learn to "listen" to others ideas and respect them and respond thoughtfully.

In our DVD Dr. Thornburg states that technology fosters communication with a wide variety of people through use of different devices. As a special education teacher, I find by third grade many students have begun to realize that they struggle more than their peers and therefore are hesistant to participate in class from the fear of being the "stupid kid." I believe blogs could give them a safe way to participate in class discussions. Spell check can help with spelling and grammer. They can have parents, adults or older siblings, read over their responses before posting to reassure them. Posting on a blog could be a less threatening way for students to be active participants in their own learning.

I would even try to incorporate math skills into the blog but currently unsure of how to do that. Any suggestions?

Nerves

Welcome to my first blog. I am nervous about the experience. It is not the technology aspect that makes me nervous, I tend to be a quick learner. I am afraid I just will not have enough interesting ideas to keep my blog moving. How is everyone else feeling about starting this blog? Is it your first or are you an experienced blogger?