21st Century Skills

"21^st Century Skills" is one of education’s new buzz phrases, yet many are unfamiliar with exactly what it means.  I recently reviewed the Partnership for 21st Century Skills website to learn more about this.  This is the website for a national organization that allows business, education, and government leaders to collaborate and share ideas on how to ensure that learners in the United States are prepared to compete globally.  

Though it is easy to navigate, the website itself is fairly plain. I expected something a little more advanced for a website about 21st century education. The website clearly defines what the phrase 21st Century Skills means and includes a rainbow graphic to make it clearer. The Tools and Resources tab includes Publications, Online Tools, Speakers Bureau, and a Professional Development Affiliate Program.  I had hoped to find resources that I could use in the classroom, but these really were not available.  The link to Route 21 under Online Tools provides a database of websites, but users have to visit and browse these sites for specific lesson plans.  The Video 21 link offers some interesting videos, but again offers few specific lesson plans. 

I am encouraged to see the collaboration between members on this site, but as is often the case with education, there is a lot of talk and little action.  The site provides plenty of information about what skills students need, but little information on how to go about making sure students learn these skills.  It also offers no suggestions or even discussion about ensuring that every student has access to technology or who should fund this.  It is unrealistic to think that students can obtain these skills without the necessary tools to do so.  Why, when it comes to education, does it seem that we always put the cart before the horse?  

Keeping up with Pop Culture

I am currently teaching a course entitled American Popular Culture.  I wrote the curriculum for the course a few years ago with the idea that many students find traditional History classes boring.  This class allows students to learn history by studying music, television, film, and more.  When students sign up for the class, they often don't realize that we focus on history from 1950 through the present, but spend little time on the present.  This is a semester course, so I am very limited on what I am able to cover.  Ideally, students would be able to incorporate what they like about Pop Culture into the class.  This is where the idea of using blogs fits well.  Students could create their own blogs to discuss one aspect of pop culture that appeals to them. Other students could subscribe to the blogs and start discussions. This would not only tie into the course content, but would also improve their reading and writing skills.  Because students would be able to choose the content of their blogs, I believe this would make them more likely to update their blog. 

My first blog

More to come...