Wednesday, May 26, 2010
21 Century Skills
The website http://www.p21.org/index.php has the mission of partnering with professionals to address the importance of 21st skills in the classroom. I was surprised by the list of businesses that made up the list of supporters. From Disney to Microsoft, the list of supporters immediately lends credibility to this partnership. I am impressed with the clearly defined goals set forth by the organization; however, I can’t say I totally agree with the push to create large-scale summative assessments. What would this type of assessment have on funding, perceived pressure, socio-economic advantages, and more? 21st century skills are important for the sake of the children and it is important that as an educator, I am aware of the importance to include these practices in my teaching.
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What would be the difference in these assessment and other state wide tests? Possibly it could be better if the state tests were aimed towards something besides memorization, multiple choice tests?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kim. As far as I can see assessments are a part of school. Why not have our students tested on skills that will help them succeed in their future? Memorizing facts is not longer the currency in today's job market, we have computers for that. What we need to develop in our students is problem solving, teamwork,and creativity. But then again, how do we assess that?
ReplyDeleteThe P21 idea seems like a step in the right direction. It is clear that students need to be given a chance to develop skills that prepare them for the future. A future that will truly be different than the present. I question the motives of such an organization as P21. Are we providing them an opportunity to dictate to us what education should be? Such an organization makes me wonder if we are losing trust in our teachers abilities and pushing new requirements on them. Are result gained through piling on requirements, or through effective / meaningful instruction?
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