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21st Century Skills are essential for students to develop. This website provides information regarding the movement to develop 21st century skills in our students. I found the site interesting, however I was surprised at the lack of discussion on the site. This site is primarily to inform the reader about what 21st century skills are, and also to outline the framework presented by this partnerhsip (which is composed of many educational and corporate groups!)
One of the most surprising things I noticed about the site (aside from the inability to engage in any discussion on the website) was that there are only fifteen states participating. The importance of the skills needed to be successful in the workforce should be a priority of all states, not just the fifteen who have signed on with the partnership! It is nice that there are resources available for teachers to use, but permission is needed in order to utilize content from the P21. There are links to blogs, wikis, and other sites that offer training and various resources to bring 21st century skills to the classroom, but there is so much to navigate. It would be nice to see resources broken down by content area or skill set.
The information presented was clear as to the mission of P21 and the importance of developing 21st century skills. The website feels like an advertisement for a business model, more than it does a tool for educators to work together in order to collaborate and develop ways of bringing 21st century skills to the classroom. As I mentioned previously, these skills are so important for our students do develop, that we should be working as a team to make sure that all educators are bringing these skills and tools to their classrooms. This website feels more like it is selling something than helping out educators - trying to get us to "buy in" to their programs rather than allowing us to engage in meaningful sharing and discussion of these topics.
As an educator, it is very important for me to embrace and understand 21st century skills. I will need to be able to model and use these skills to better myself and to further develop the education of my students. My students will need to embrace the importance of learning - not only the content we present to them every day, but also how to use technology to learn and research. They will need to take the reins in their own learning and drive change both in education and in the workforce.
You are correct in saying that the website feels more like it is selling something rather than helping educators. I'm wondering why they do not open it up to a meaningful discussion of the topics if the skills are so necessary. Whether your state is part of P21 or not, you are on the path to help your students develop the skills they need to be successful. Stay positive!
ReplyDeleteThe site clearly explains 21st century skills. I think everybody agrees about how important they are. The problem is finding strategies and methods to teach those skills. However, website is not helpful and well organized to achieve this task. They have to create a new interactive web site with forums and discussion boards with specific categories. Currently, website is not so helpful for me.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with you Zulfi. I think the website just not so helpful and practical to use. I think that is why it has less members. I think practical tools and strategies must be presented instead of theories and talk.
ReplyDeleteExactly, Kimyabu! We have too many people talking at us regarding what we need to do in the classroom, but they are not presenting us with the opportunity to share ideas or to discuss hurdles so we can work together to implement these strategies! Thanks for the posts, Everyone!
ReplyDeleteI agree and disagree with your views on the p21 site. When I went for the first time, I did not feel as though I was looking at a business approach to school. The idea of being "sold" a model did not cross my mind at all. The idea of outlining an entire new approach to schooling will not get down to specifics at first. While some dialogue on a national level may be appropriate, individual states and schools need to dialogue about these ideas and determine what approach will work best for them. P21 is trying to get the ball rolling by presenting a new framework for our approach to education. How we do it is still up to us. Each state and school is in a different position academically and financially.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your analysis of the site and reviewing the site, I do see your point. Their are improvements the site could make, but I am not sure that is what they intended the site to beccome.
Moparman06 has a good best analysis. It’s a national organization so “talking at us” is probably all they can accomplish. It would be useful for teachers to have meaningful discussions at the state and county levels, but I’m not sure that this is the medium for those conversations. The P21 state sites would absolutely be appropriate.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your feeling of the site trying to "sell" something or getting people to buy into their programs. I am very skeptical by nature and couldn't help but feel that way about this site. I am a bit confused as to why more states are not involved with P21, including my home state of Michigan. I will spend some more time, as time permits, to cruise through the site, but initially, I wasn't overly impressed.
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