21st Century Girl

This week, I've been asked to address the following questions about the Partnership for 21st Century Skills.

Your reaction to the Web site:

I think this website is a great initiative to get students and teachers all on board for the kids learning skills that are necessary for the 21st century workplace. I have often wondered how many of the skills we currently teach are preparing these kids for their future. Honestly, most of the social skills they learn in school will help them the most.

What information on the site surprised you?

I was actually (not that) surprised to see that Tennessee was not on the list of states that support this initiative. It's sad that we have to be the last ones to grasp on to almost everything dealing with education. For once, I'd like us to be the front-runners.

Did you disagree with anything on the site? Explain.

No way! I think it's a great idea and there were many helpful and informational articles on the site. It is also nice to see so many businesses who are partnered with this organization. Since many of our children will be working for these businesses in the future, it's good to see them taking an advanced step in the right direction.

What are the implications for your students, and for you as a contemporary educator?

By having this organization out there, the implications for the students are amazing! I wish we would adopt more of an initiative to teach these skills in our school. As one teacher, I can only do so much for the students in my classroom, but I know if all the teachers at my school got on board to teach these skills such as navigation, basic typing skills, and how to differentiate between websites that are helpful and those that are full of hogwash, our students would be more prepared to emerge themselves into future technology based assignments.

Blog Schmog

I have begun a new course in my Graduate class and here are the questions I've been asked to ponder this week:

What purpose would the blog serve? Is it a place for students to interact about content? Is it a showcase for their work? How does using a blog enhance the lesson? Include your grade level, content area, and your rationale as to why a blog is a good tool for the instructional context.

I have already set up a classroom blog and hope to use it in the coming year. It's my plan to have to students communicate with each other not only about curriculum topics, but everyday topics as well. I want this to be a place where they can build an online community and feel safe responding to each others opinions.

I think the blog will enhance lessons by getting the students to think more critically about topics. It is also able to be used in different ways, so the students will be differentiating their own instruction. We have a time during the day called, "Double Dose." During this time, I think I will allow the students to work on their blogging comments and responses. I would like to teach them various ways to respond other than by writing, but I want to get that skill down first!

As a 4th grade teacher, I will be taking on quite a bit of extra work, but I think the kids will pick it up easily. Since I teach all subjects, I look forward to incorporating each into a weekly/daily question. I think having a class blog will be a great instructional tool that will be fun for the students and keep them interested in our class and each other!