In the Change Agent interview, Richardson alludes to the Collins and Halverson book that we're using for this course. He states that 21st century education demands a "lifelong learning model" where "learning is much more fluid and much more independent, self-directed, and informal." He further states, "that concept—that we can learn in profound new ways outside the classroom setting- poses huge challenges to traditional structures of schools, because that’s not what they were built for."
In light of this new notion of lifelong learning and the seven essential survival skills accrording to Tony Wagner, how should schools be restructured to better address them? Think about schools at the level which you work. What role would technology play? Share some thoughts below!
P.S. Don't forget to read Schrum & Levin, Chapter 3- New Tools for Collaboration, Communication, & Creation
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How should schools be restructured to better address the seven essential survival skills accrording to Tony Wagner? What role would technology play?
The focus for restructuring immediately goes to focus on the student. For too long, classrooms in our schools have been teacher centered. Building a trust in students as responsible, independent learners is the key to incorporating the seven survival skills into our daily routines. Yes, our daily routines and culture. Starting from student questions and interests is step one to engaging their interest and involvement in the real world. This is the beginning of critical thinking and problem solving. At the early grades, this can be built in to morning meetings or small group work to stimulate collaboration and leadership in discussions and writing. The agility and adaptability needs to be modeled by the teacher, and students will quickly respond with active and independent learning. Trust in student abilities to function responsibly is key to building that environment. For some teachers that can be like jumping off a cliff, but when you see it in a classroom you can recognize the difference. Students will naturally take initiative if they are given the chance. Effective communication becomes part of the environment when it is a needed component of functioning within an active learning environment. Of course instruction is needed in the early grades to accomplish early skills, but students are more motivated to learn the skills if they have a purpose for application. They will be curious and motivated to learn about topics that interest them. Just ask…and they know how to find the information. These learning characteristics are not new or futuristic. They are attributes of learning in any school environment. As leaders, we need to encourage teachers to trust that building a student centered learning environment is best for student and school success. Technology offers an extension through easier access and analyze information. We can partner with students to collaborate in finding ways to better share our ideas through new avenues in the river of technology. Jump in!
Ha! Just thought I would try again.
Richardson's point that teachers need to help students to create a "strong and appropriate search portfolio", or as he also labels it "a positive online footprint". I think this is such an important aspect of learning how to use technology - knowing how to present an appropriate image on the web. I was having a conversation with a few students just a few weeks ago about their facebook pages. They were astounded that anyone would ever look at their page in order to determine their credibility and professionalism, yet many companies and even colleges search for prospective employees or students, and take into account what they find.
I think this really fits in to Richardson's point that just because we call kids "digital natives", because they grew up around technology, doesn't mean that they necessarily know how to use technology in an appropriate, academic way. I think in order to ensure that students are well-versed in the technological skills they need, we can't just assume that because they know how to email means that they know how to use email to broaden networks, collaborate, and further their education or career with it.
I really liked the ideas in this interview, I think he makes a lot of salient points about the integration of technology in our education system.
One of the required courses I mentioned in our Boston class was Global and Historical Perspectives in Education; this class encouraged us to rethink the current trends in the restructuring of the primary and secondary programs in the U.S. The current reforming of the educational system focuses on competition among nations, versus an understanding of educational needs of the American student. Like the US, the “competition” is restructuring their education systems. Countries that are seen as the competition (Finland, China) are moving away from standardized testing to similar trends as that of Wagner’s seven essential survival skills: or Critical Thinking, Communication, Collaboration and Creativity. Technology should not be seen as an obstacle to “fit into” the curriculum, it is a natural occurrence in our everyday lives and therefore should be a natural occurrence in the every day life of a student.
My educational background and interest is in the education of students with disabilities. Students who are significantly below grade level, those who are nonverbal and have limited motor control. Those who do not have a voice when education restructuring is taking place. Yet, the general population should closely look at the structure of special education curriculum. I took particular interest in # 3 and # 7: Agility and Adaptability and Curiosity and Imagination. Adaptability and Creativity are huge factors in education, in schools and in the work force. These factors have always been an aspect when adapting the curriculum for students with significant disabilities. A teacher must be able to adapt to all sorts of situations: behaviors, abilities and health. Creativity in adapting the curriculum by use of technology is already being done on a daily basis. As a former teacher, I had used adapted lessons from a private special education school in England. My students went on virtual trips to the zoo and to museums using an online sharing network called IntelliTools. We made our own music videos traveling the world with our music therapist using imovie. My students were already being fitted for the use of ipads for communication and access. Some may argue that a special education teacher has less at stake when it comes to education reform and standardized testing.
Yes I can agree that we are not teaching our students to be the leaders of the world, but we are teaching our students life skills, curriculum and how to succeed based on their own individuality. And this is being done with the help from new and ever changing technology. So where the special education world is constantly being left out and ignored, it really should be looked at as the leaders in incorporating Problem Solving; Collaboration; Adaptability; Initiatives; Communication; Accessing; Imagination. Yes, I just adapted Wagner’s 7 essential survival skills, but that is the purpose of an educator, adapting the lesson to fit the needs of the students with the aid of adaptive equipment and technology.
Interesting perspective, Charlotte... I do think that you're correct in the notion that the special education world is often left out in the 21st century skills conversation... and in many ways, they should be at the forefront in that they lead the way with regard to personalizing education and developing a curriculum with the students' passions and interests in mind.
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When I review the seven survival skills a la Tony Wagner, I keep coming back to the idea of problem solving. When you think about it, all seven skills can connect to and can be developed through problem solving opportunities for students. In other words, by allowing students to solve real, relevant problems in order to learn new skills and become independent thinkers, we are helping them acquire the seven skills needed for 21st century careers. Clearly, technology is one of the best vehicles or tools for allowing students to solve problems using various approaches, but this requires teacher support. So, maybe if problem solving can work for our students to develop new skills and broaden how they learn and / or approach learning, perhaps this approach would work for teachers learning how to use and integrate technology for the first time. I like the idea presented by Will Richardson in the article the article for last night that perhaps teachers should be expected to arrive at a workshop already having learned- on their own with some resources and support- how to use certain technological skills so that the workshop can be a “what can we do now?” rather than trying to teach how to use the technology. The professional development can be soling problems using the technology and expanding already existing knowledge. I have come to the conclusion that you cannot please all of the people all of the time. People will always resist new things sometimes for no reason at all- just be buck the system. So, I think that administrators need to be sensitive to fears that folks have around change, but they need to lead by example and create peer lead groups for teachers to begin working with each other collaboratively to integrate technology and do what is best for kids.
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just lost everything I wrote--what happened?
again, I lost what I wrote... now I'm going to write it on a word doc first!!!!! Arrggh.
There is a conspiracy happening or my stars are not aligning properly.
Started the word document, saved it, kept typing and the microsoft word quit unexpectedly! No text in the recovered document. Here is what I had saved.
There is no question in my mind that school need to restructure from the traditional view of teacher as the expert and student as a blank slate or empty vessel needing to be filled. Wagner’s seven essential survival skills should be strongly considered as a guide to what schools should embrace if they are to meet the needs of today’s students and the future of demands of our society.
When schools do not expect the inclusion of the survival skills as part of instruction, they are doing a grave disservice to the students. Technology can play a significant role in promoting the restructuring especially if it is considered as part of project based learning. My concern after reading the article, is that it was written in 2008 and three years later I see minimal movement in this direction across our country.
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