The organization Partnership for 21st Century Skills has developed a framework for integrating “21st century skills” into our school’s curriculums. This in depth plan outlines the key elements of a 21st century education, including the skills students will need for the future, as well as new content that students will need to learn.
Our schools are struggling to keep up with the fast-paced changes in our society, including the introduction of new technologies. The push towards 21st century learning that the Partnership is spearheading is essential if we wish to prepare our students for their futures. I was surprised to learn that the framework proposed the Partnership aligns with No Child Left Behind. Their recommendations “complement” NCLB, in fact, and would help schools meet the legislation’s goal of students achieving technology literacy.
I have one issue with the organization’s proposal, however. They encourage the use of “21st century tools” to develop the skills our students will need in the future. These include computers, video and audio recorders, as well as other various tools which students must have access to in order to become technology literate. The plan lacks an explanation as to how our school systems will be able to provide these tools for all students. They make no suggestions as to how this technology can become affordable and available to ensure all of our nation’s students have equal access to the technology that will prepare them for their futures. With such a comprehensive plan, I am surprised that they did not address this issue.
Overall, I think the Partnership’s plan will open the eyes of school officials. When it is spelled out in black and white, it is hard to ignore our schools’ sluggish response to society’s digital revolution. Even though it will be a long journey for schools to transform their curriculums, this framework provides schools with plenty of small changes that can be made along the way.
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Yes, the lack of funding is rather a complicated snag, isn't it, Megan? Perhaps the plan the Partnership advocates should include what NCLB has never up until now been able to provide: adequate funding. I think beyond opening the eyes of school officials, I hope the plan opens the eyes of the voters and the larger school community who are shareholders in developing schools and their curricula. Public opinion, if it is voiced loudly, clearly, and long enough, may help drive the changes that can transform schools into modern facilities that provide digital education .
ReplyDeleteFunding, or lack their of is a core issue. Partnership 21 understands the importance of technology but doesn't really address how all students across the nation can have access to these tools. Addressing this issue would make their plan that much better!
ReplyDeleteYou bring up an interesting point, Megan. After looking at the website, I was so impressed by the sentiment, that I did not really think about how this all would take shape. As with every educational initiative, there are so many variables (including existing equipment and training, location, class sizes, student needs, etc.) that it seems hard to make a plan that will work for everyone. What I am noticing, though, is that I feel like I am being asked to plan for more and more every year and I am not being given any more time or resources to be able to implement these plans successfully. I think Laurie is right, we need to make our voices heard and continue to state our needs (well, our children's needs, really) and work to move forward from wherever we are starting.
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