Kay begins by stating that we, as public schools, are on the threshold of a tipping point-- "the moment when a critical mass of circumstances come together and sets us on a new and unstoppable course." (p. xiii). While we approach this tipping point, it is important we understand the three important answers to why we need a new model for education in the 21st century. First, the world is changing. Change or remain the same- sink or swim- those who can change with the world will be successful, and those that can not change, will be left behind. Second, US schools and students have not adapted to the changing world. Common Core, at the root of it, is to help our students "catch up" to the progress made from students internationally, and to help our teachers teach our students appropriately to what is available to them. In America, with the utilization of technology not at its fullest, students are not as eager to learn in the old fashion ways. These students are basically coming out of the womb with a cell phone attached to their ear, yet they're still taking notes out of a textbook. Thirdly, The United States has no clear sense of purpose or direction for securing our future economic competitiveness. Complacency, a word feared by many, but descriptive of more- especially in America. STEM is excelling world wide, yet the US seems terribly complacent with their status.
Students, with 21st century skills will be prepared to think, learn, work, solve problems, communicate, collaborate, and contribute. The times are a'changin' and it seems the more time that passes, the answer becomes easier and easier to answer. America, public schools, students, teachers: should we sink or should we swim?
Erin,
ReplyDeleteI love that you mentioned “Just as students work better when they have a deep understanding of their purpose, we as humans can comprehend, and implement skills when we too have a deep understanding.”
Knowledge is just knowledge until it’s applied, and then it becomes wisdom and understanding. It’s interesting how today’s younger generation is so focused on social media and technology that they struggle with some forms of social face-to-face communication when 21st century skills encompass just that! Collaboration, communicating, critical thinking, and creating: how’s that for alliteration? ;)
Also, I agree with your statement about how the world is changing and how US schools have failed to “jump on board” with the rest of oru competing nations and world powers. One large example is language. China, Japan, and parts of India are not only teaching ESL from K-12 but also Spanish. This means that by the time the child is 18 years old they will have been trained in at least 3 languages. W-o-w. Now how about that for having global communication skills?
You mention that “These students are basically coming out of the womb with a cell phone attached to their ear, yet they're still taking notes out of a textbook. “ I love this! How do we as educators help shift how we teach and how students learn? So many questions, how I wish to know the answers.
-Jenna