Our assignment this week was to provide our thoughts on the website that is the title of this posting. My initial assessment, I must admit that I have not read every word on the site, is that it is typical of websites that attempt to push a specific thought or opinion. It is very easy to find evidence that supports the viewpoints of those that created the site and difficult to find information that refutes their core beliefs. I don't fault these authors, anyone trying to further their viewpoints takes on the role of salesperson, but I do caution the reader on the logic that is used. To be honest I don't disagree with the initiatives pushed by the website, I am nervous about some of the logic. The authors point to a poll that showed 88% support for incorporating 21st century skills in the classroom. What they failed to mention is the motivation for answering in agreement that these are desired policies. What parent does not want their child to have the best environment possible? What parent does not want their child to have the most skills when they leave school? What is missing is the percentage of parents that are willing to pay for the technologies required to teach these skills. That statistic would show the percentage of parents that view 21st century skills as necessary and outweigh the cost. I believe that this number would be far lower than the 88% reported. My evidence is anecdotal in nature. In Ohio we as school districts require the voters to approve any budgetary increase. Time and again school tax levys are defeated, even when the proposed taxing are promised to support technology. In a press release dated January 23, 2009 21stcenturyskills.org makes the statement that schools cannot utilize technology appropriately without the proper skills and training. They say that this is the largest source of failure and not money. This training and support require money. For those districts that cannot afford technology they certainly cannot afford training.
I was surprised by resources presented on the website. By following the "Route 21" link the viewer is transported to a section that portrays the areas of 21st century learning as a rainbow of skills. Upon clicking on a section (I choose the core subject areas) you are taken to a list of a specific areas of interest and links to outside sources. I thought that these links would provide lessons that would enable my students to practice these 21st century skills. What I soon realized is that while some links might provide some lesson advice most of the links simply further argued for the inclusion of these skills in the classroom.
While the site presents a compelling arguement for the inclusion of 21st century skills in the curriculum it does not provide meaningful help in the implementation of these skills. As an educator that is pressed for time I find myself looking for resources that provide substantial material that can benefit my students. This website is geared towards encouraging educators. For that reason I feel this website is a valuable tool in convincing educators that change is needed but not so helpful in bringing these skills to my students.
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Yes, Phil, I agree that this website promotes its own political agenda. I have highlighted a similar point in my blog http://msg-music.blogspot.com/ It is an unfortunate reality that money determines classroom tools and sometimes even curriculum. One way we can circumvent some of these financial issues is through the use of grant and awareness programs. The 21st Century Skills website also has a section dedicated to state collaboration. I noticed that Ohio is not on the list, and WV is the closest geographically to you. Some of these state initiatives may lead to more financial support for integrating technology in the classroom. Until then, we will continue to look for great resources to assist higher student achievement as you mention.
Phil,
I see that you are scrutinizing the sites lack of ways to implement these skills into our classrooms. I noticed that in the resources there are many lesson plans and assessment strategies that help to implement these skills into our daily activities. I really like the site as a resource for educators who are looking for ways to develop these skills in our youth. One thing that I was wondering about is the site's lack of knowledge about funding for these new technologies to teach these new skills. How do you feel about that?
Adib,
That tends to be the largest issue with these "fix all of our problems" strategies. They set out these expectations that are not feasible and then do not provide any advice on how to implement them. For issues such as this one you even have people from outside of the education field telling us what we need to do. Imagine going into a doctor's office and telling them how to be more efficient. While well intended there is very little insight because their personal experience does not include the classroom. It is an assumption that educated people have, as long as you have spent time in the classroom you must know how it should be run. This is a very arrogant viewpoint.
These approaches are shortsighted as well. This course that we are in proposes that technology is the end all solution. My last course proposed that multi-culturism was the solution. I am looking, and have been looking for some time, for a program that combines the best ideas from every camp, has accurate implementation standards, and created by those from the classroom. Having a one track mind will not solve anything.
To address the funding issue specifically, if an agenda does not supply a method to counter funding they basically sound like the teacher from Charlie Brown. It goes in one ear and out the other.
We would all agree that our students need to think critically and creatively, work well with others, and use various modes of technology. But is teaching these 21st century skills the answer to all of our problems with our educational system? I would agree with you that the number would be much lower than 88%. Our schools were falling down and our school levies failed three times before finally passing. This was for buildings that are state-of-the-art. We are equpped with the technology but lack the funding for professional development. Without the proper training and the equipement, I am afraid the smaller schools and low income districts will be left to fall further behind the schools who could fully implement the 21st century skills.
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