I was very impressed with the amount of information that is easily accessible with in the site. Not only do they clearly identify the specific skills, content knowledge, expertise and literacies essential for our students to be successful in the modern workplace, but they also provide research articles, support systems, standards, assessments, and professional development to solidify their commitment to their mission. I was pleased to see that this site was not the brain-child of just another technology corporation looking to push a hidden agenda for large government contracts. When you look at the long list of members it includes a very diverse conglomerate of organizations which all are truly stakeholders in this mission in some shape or form.
I believe the Route 21 section of the site is an invaluable tool for educators wanting support and resources for bringing their classrooms into the 21st century. In just a short period of time I was able to locate information, resources, and a very relevant video, all tied into some of the vision I see for my classroom and my role as an art educator. Last year, I wrote a grant for implementing a "visual literacy" project and recieved funding from a local business. As it turns out it was motivated by a need for the same media literacy skills discussed at this resource. (http://www.edutopia.org/media-literacy-skills-video It is very affirming to have discovered that my instructional instinct for teaching these skills aligns with the mission of this organization. Maybe sharing this site with other local businesses will convince them to fund more grant projects that promote 21st century skills.
The only part of the site that I disagreed with was the page listed as Success Stories. When you go to this page you find no links, no articles, there is nothing. I disagree that there are no success stories. Maybe educators are just not aware that they are being successful at integrating 21st century skills successfully in the classroom. Hopefully the website just hasn't had time to up load all the stories yet.
http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/
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That is an interesting perspective to hear. Maybe I'm just different but most of the people I work with have spouses that are also in the education field. It is intriguing to hear from a business person that they are concerned about the future employees we are turning out.
ReplyDeleteI also found the lack of material on the Success portion of the website sort of amusing. I'm sure the stories are out there, but if you are going to put that link on your page you should really have a couple things to put on it.
I also agree that the lack of information on the success section was comical. I am not sure if it is on purpose, as there are no successes yet, or if it is just that the successes has not been uploaded to the website. Either way, it does not seem effective!
ReplyDeleteRoute 21 seemed the most important part of the website to me. While the articles about the 21st century skills are helpful and educational, Route 21 actually has ideas for use in the classroom. I really think that it is more important to constantly try new things in the classroom than to just be educated on the theory. We must "do", not just learn!
Karen, that is wonderful that your husband cares enough to be concerned with how we our preparing our students for the 21st century. Education and the business world are and will continue to transform rapidly. I must agree that this site offers some great resources for teachers to begin the process of integrating the skills necessary for students to succeed in the 21st century. It was refreshing to see businesses serve as a, as you say, catalyst for change in public education.
ReplyDeleteI must admit that I did not realize the success stories page was barren. Not good! It is important for the contributors of the site to support how the suggestions and resources discussed on the site panned out for specific schools.
I tend to learn as I go so Route 21 will serve as a huge resource tool for my school and I. You should be commended on the visual literacy project you got funding for. What an excellant way to get the resources you need!
Karen,
ReplyDeleteThat must be a useful tool having your spouse as a sounding board and as an example for technology integration in the real world. Do you hear about new technology advances through his workforce experience? The Partnership for 21st Century Learning is a good site and will help educate teachers about new uses of technology. You are right that it is a shame that they haven’t updated any success stories on their site as there are many of them. Also seeing examples of success stories may be used to encourage other teachers to give intergrading technology a try.