1) What are the learning outcomes established by the Partnership for 21st Century Learning? (Include information about who/what the Partnership itself is.)
Partnership 21st century learning is an organization that prepares students for learning. Their members provide tools and resources to help the U.S. education system. They also advocate for local, state, and federal policies that support the same approach for every school. The learning outcomes that are established are life and career skills, information, media, and technology skills, core subjects and 21st century themes, and learning and innovative skills. Learning and innovative skills consists of critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. http://www.p21.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=254&Itemid=119
2) What is Core Knowledge and how does it apply to education theory?
Core Knowledge is an independent, non-profit organization that develops curriculum, publishes educational books and materials, provides professional development for educators, and supports schools of core knowledge. Their Core Knowledge Sequence, is a detailed outline of recommended curriculum to be taught in language arts, history, geography, mathematics, science, music, and visual arts. The content is to be learned grade by grade so that knowledge, language and skills bulid cumulatively year by year. http://www.coreknowledge.org/about-the-curriculum
3) How does current education practice apply both 21st Century Learning Skills and Core Knowledge?
Current education practice applies both 21st century learning and core knowledge. Both of these focus on students understanding and knowledge of core subjects which we teach in the classroom every single day. We are also starting to use more of 21st century learning which consists of technology. Learning, teaching, and understanding technology has grown so much in the classroom it is now almost essential to have technology and understand how to use it effectively. We use core knowledge in the education with the language arts program. Just like the language arts program we use systematic phonics based instruction in decoding skills with extensive read-alouds to build both oral language and background knowledge. http://www.coreknowledge.org/language-arts-program
4) OPINION: Do we need more or less emphasis of either Core Knowledge or 21st Century Learning Skills? How would we go about it?
4) OPINION: Do we need more or less emphasis of either Core Knowledge or 21st Century Learning Skills? How would we go about it?
I think we could use more of 21st century learning because it is not just about subject knowledge its about learning other skills as well such as; innovation, media and technology skills, and life and career skills. This is what can really prepare students for higher education and with the growth of our society. It is hard to implement new curriculum/learning styles to curriculum that teachers have always be used to. Its also hard to find a balance between the curriculum and the subject matter. If you were to add this new material you would then have to spend less time on other subject matter. So I don’t really know how we could put more of an emphasis on 21st century learning. It would obviously take some time to balance and make adjustments. http://www.p21.org/documents/P21_Framework.pdf
5) How does the US compare to other like-minded countries in our education system? What are our strengths and/or weakness?
In comparison to China’s school system the U.S. education system has the best Universities and Colleges in the world. Students from all over the world come over to the U.S. for their higher education. Teachers in China are given more respect, they have a harder work ethic, they do not segregate high achieving students from low achieving students. http://sitemaker.umich.edu/vanschaack.356/strenghts_and_weaknesses_of_both_systems
6) How does motivation tie in to student success in the classroom? Give 3 examples of strategies to motivate today's students.
7) What are the NETS for students?
Nets for students helps prepare students for work and helps them contribute to the social and civic fabrics of their communities. The standards promote higher level thinking so students can learn how to live in our changing society. Students will be able to demonstrate creatively, communicate and collaborate, conduct research, use technology effectively and productively. http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-students.aspx
8) How does your current skill set compare to the NETS for teachers?
After reading the NETS for teachers the standards that they put forth for teachers is something that I want to teach by. The first standard is, “Facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity.” I believe this is our job as teachers to promote, support, and engage our students to higher level thinking and inspire them to be creative. Standard two is, “Design and develop digital-age learning experiences and assessments.” One of the sub standards is to “customize and personalize learning activities to address students’ diverse learning styles.” This is extremely important to me because I have learned that students are different from one another and they are going to have different needs. It is our job as teachers to get to know our students and learn how they learn best so we know they are getting the most out of their learning. http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-teachers/nets-for-teachers-2008.aspx
9) What does research say about using Interactive Whiteboards? What are the pros and cons? Would you want to have one in your classroom?
9) What does research say about using Interactive Whiteboards? What are the pros and cons? Would you want to have one in your classroom?
Pros
- You will be able to control any application through the board. You don’t have to be behind the computer you can be in front of the classroom.
- You can save work into a file
- You can upload files to the internet or other databases used for student resources or professional development opportunities.
- The students can use the board. This allows them to participate in the lessons.
Cons
- It is hard to write on the board neatly.
- You have to move back and forth from the keyboard to the screen
- Its expensive, you need to supple your own data projector. Which can cost from 500-1000$.
- Takes up extra time and money for staff at each school. Training cost time and money.
I would want to have an interactive whiteboard in my classroom. Even though there might be some small problems with it I think the students would love to have this in the classroom. I think the students would want to be more involved.
