Partnership for 21st Century Skills Overview

As part of my coursework for my graduate class, I was to explore and learn about the website, Partnership for 21st Century Skills. As I began to peruse the website, the amount and quality of information was amazing, from blogs on implementing Common Core Standards to exemplars on implementing 21st century skills and how to move above and beyond by combining the 3Rs and 4Cs, (communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity). Filled with downloadable PDFs, the site is abundant in its usable resources for educators, parents and communities. Clearly, many voices have been heard and collaboration among varying perspectives have culminated in a joint effort to create a road map for the future, not only for students and educators but for the future of the country as well. 

Reading through the history, the vision of the founding members was inspiring, in 2002, and the fact that the U.S. Department of Education matched $1.5 million in funding the Partnership for 21st Century Skills. With the realization, more than ten years ago, that our students lack the skills to take on the challenges of the 21st century, this group opened up a national dialogue focused on what changes were needed. In addition, a poll conducted in 2007 indicated voters felt the same concern as to adjustments in education to prepare students and secure "our country's future economic success" (p21.org). With the membership ranging from individuals to corporations and an open invitation for new members, the organization exemplifies collaboration.

Clearly stated throughout the site is the fact that there is work to be done in every classroom in our country, and "Every member reinforces the mission of P21 and our ability to enact change on the local, federal and state level to shift the conversation for kids and ensure they're ready to lead and take on the challenges of the 21st century" (P21.org). Ideally, that is a powerful statement; "ensure they're ready to lead and take on the challenges of the 21st century", I whole heartedly agree that our students need a different skill set than ten years ago and in many classrooms the curriculum is in need of a sweeping renovation. Realistically, how will those needed changes be funded? When education budgets are often the first to be slashed, it seems counter productive to the mission "that all students are ready to succeed in college, career and life in the 21st century". If and when students are ready to succeed in college, how will they afford college? College tuition and fees rise at an alarming rate. In July of 2011, the University of California board of Regents raised students tuition by "an additional 9.6 percent". That hike followed "a previously approved 8 percent increase". The reason given for these tuition hikes was "the 10-campus system lost $650 million in state budget cuts" (blogs.kqes.org) How do we rationalize cutting programs, classes, educational opportunities while heaping financial burdens on those who can attend college, while at the same time say we are preparing every child for taking on the world? I struggle to conceptualize this, can anyone help me with this?


References

Partnership for 21st Century Skills. (2011).Partnership for 21st century skills. Retrieved from: http://www.p21.org

Beyond the Three Rs Voter Attitudes toward 21st Century Skills. (2007). Partnership for 21st century skills. Retrieved from: http://www.p21.org/storage/documents/p21_pollreport_2pg.pdf

UC Approves 9.6% Tuition Hike. (2011). Public Media for Northern California. Retrieved from: http://blogs.kqed.org/newsfix/2011/07/14/uc-approves-9-6-tuition-hike/

Blogging and the Classroom

I introduced blogging this year with my sixth graders as a way to encourage communication between classmates regarding classroom activities, for example their classic novel characters. I have added another blog for students to discuss memories of their elementary years as they will be "graduating" from elementary school this year. Overall the students have been excited about the process and it has been quite successful.

Just last week, I introduced blogging to a class of 5th graders as a way to recognize the efforts of classmates' autobiographical presentations. Unfortunately, it was not met with much enthusiasm  but I will continue to try. As this is new to the students, it is also new to the teachers and they don't know what to make of it.

I would like to use it with my fourth graders, but wonder if anyone has blogged with students 8-10 years old? If you have had blogging experience with this age, good or bad, please share, or if you have come across a blog with kids this age, I would be interested to see it.

I teach technology to students in grades 3-6 and many of them do not have email accounts, so I have to open up the blogs to anyone, so students can blog "anonymously". I have students just type their first name and there is nothing on the blog to indicate who the kids are or where we live. I am using Blogger and wonder if there is a way around having the blog open to anyone. Thanks for any input.

I would like to continue creating opportunities for my students to blog and expand it to my 4-6th grade classes. I will use it as a way to showcase student work and hopefully encourage parent involvement that way. I believe blogging can be a great tool for students and have seen my own children use it successfully in middle and high school. I struggle with what my expectations should be for elementary school age students. Any advice or suggestions would be most welcome.

Technology & Music Collaborate

Kindergarteners were learning the song "Over the River and Through the Woods" for their performance in the Winter Sing. Collaborating with the music and kindergarten teachers, we were able to produce a little podcast using the students' artwork and voices. Using GarageBand for the recording and scanning in the images, produced a fun podcasts that students could access at home when it was published on the school's website.

Technology - What's New in Your World?

Technology is ever changing and I often hear from teachers, "I don't know, what I don't know." A very accurate statement. I hope to provide a place in which to share thoughts, plans and ideas about how technology has been incorporated into your world, both personal and professional.