Partnership for 21st Century Skills
Posted on: January 29, 2009
http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/index.php
It is clearly important for teachers and schools to constantly be preparing our students to be the best they can be. Preparing them with the skills they need to be successful is essential. I think this website is very helpful for finding teaching resources to better teach these skills and also articles from across the country explaining different findings on the topic.
Something surprising to me is the amount of resources that this site has available to teachers. I have been browsing Route 21 and have found several web resources that even I, as a foreign language teacher, could use in the classroom. There are 570 resources at Route 21 alone. I was also surprised by the amount of news and articles that are covering the concept of 21st Century Skills. I was disappointed though to see that my state, Ohio, is not one of the state initiatives listed at the site. It is too bad that Ohio has not taken enough steps to be considered an “Initiative State”.
I do not disagree with anything that this site, or others like it, is trying to accomplish. In reading through their mission statement, they only hope to fill in the gaps between what schools are offering and what students need to be truely successful in society and life after school. Skill included are as follows:
- Information and communication skills (information and media literacy skills; communication skills)
- Thinking and problem-solving (critical thinking and systems thinking; problem identification, formulation and solution; creativity and intellectual curiosity)
- Interpersonal and self-direction skills (interpersonal and collaborative skills; self-direction; accountability and adaptability; social responsibility)
- Global awareness
- Financial, economic and business literacy, and developing entrepreneurial skills to enhance workplace productivity and career options
- Civic literacy
From: http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=188&Itemid=110
As a teacher, I think it is hard to be against anything that is hoping to accomplish these skills with students today.
6 Responses to "Partnership for 21st Century Skills"
January 31, 2009 at 11:24 pm
I have to agree with you about these type of websites making it easier for teachers. There are many different resources that are available for us to use at such ease. Also, the mission of the website tells what all should know. As someone reads over the skills that you listed, they can only begin to think about where students will be in a few years after conquering them.
February 1, 2009 at 4:20 pm
As a fellow educator in Ohio, I experienced the same disappointment you did when I noticed that we were not on the “special” list of states (only ten) mentioned as members. My guess is not that they aren’t on their because of a lack of initiative, but rather, they just don’t know about it. Much like you and me, this great website and concept would have been left unknown to great people like you and I had it not been for this great master’s course. I question if this should be solely led by businesses or that the government (state and federal) should get their hand in it. I only say this for Ohio because of your closing remarks, and I quote, “…I think it is hard to be against anything that is hoping to accomplish these skills with students today.”
Because this is such a universal truth, shouldn’t everyone be involved and almost mandated? I am weary of just having successful corporations head up this program because I am afraid that schools that are already well off will just become more advanced as opposed to giving those resources to schools (states) that are in the most need.
February 1, 2009 at 7:09 pm
The Partnership for the 21st Century Skills website was geared more toward providing information. I was surprised to see so few states listed in the state initiative toolbar. My state, Florida, was not listed just like Ohio. Didn’t you wish there was an area on this site to contact other educators? I thought it would be useful to see what other states are accomplishing and how they are meeting these standards. It would be helpful to receive some feedback from others who a part of this partnership. I believe that all students need to be successful and if teachers hold resources such as this then we should utilize it to the best of our ability. I think that with more research and understanding of what this partnership really means, more educators would inclined to incorporate this resource into their professional development.
February 2, 2009 at 2:11 am
Phil – It certainly seems that students becoming proficient in these areas could only result in a positive outcome!
February 3, 2009 at 3:47 pm
I have to say that I didn’t have all of these advantages that students have today. Technology was different in many aspects. Scientific calculators were only in the highest level class and there were only a few of them. Computers weren’t used for the applications that are used today and almost all other technology has completely advanced. Technology is a key in today’s society.
Frau's Blog 
January 31, 2009 at 9:50 pm
Hi Stephanie,
The state of Florida, where I teach, is not a state that has been recognized either. How disappointing! When I visited the website I was amazed at all the work that was put into it. I didn’t even know this website existed until we were required to visit it via the class. I found lots of resources as well on this site. My only concern was how can we as a united nation claim to be leading our students in the 21st century if not every state is meeting these requirements?