The Partnership for 21st Century Skills website establishes a fundamental framework that could help America’s students not only succeed, but possibly help pioneer this new global frontier. The current educational institutions are inadequately, or failing to meet the needs of society. However, The Partnership for 21st Century Skills is attempting to bridge the widening gap between the two systems. “Clearly, we must work together to fully prepare people for the challenges of work and life in the 21st century” (Partnership for 21st Century Skills). With this in mind, the Partnership for 21st Century Skills is working with states through an initiative that urges states to alter current educational practices to meet the skill sets needed for the 21st century.
After reviewing the various facets of this site, I am quite impressed with its straightforward initiatives to help the educational realm converge with the current structure of society. In doing so, this organization also offers various affiliates that will assist schools in preparing teachers to adequately implement these new 21st century skills into the classroom. Furthermore, this organization also offers online resources to further enhance the process of incorporating these skills into education. This website is enticing in the aspect that it offers straightforward solutions to an ever-pervading problem that is enshrouding the educational system. Even journalists of Time magazine mock the current state of affairs on the educational by relating it to the fable of Rip Van Winkle and stating, “Kids spend much of the day as their great-grandparents once did: sitting in rows, listening to teachers lecture, scribbling notes by hand, reading from textbooks that are out of date by the time they are printed” (Wallis, 2006). This notion that the educational system is failing to meet the needs of today’s youth because of its outdated practices is a foreboding and menacing concept that can no longer be ignored.
However, is the answer truly diving head first into the first concept that sounds not only appealing but also enticing? As I peruse the many components set forth by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, I cannot help but feel cautious and almost skeptical of the theories and opinions expressed. Many of the site’s creators boast the fact that they were once educators and understand the daily frustration and obstacles that educators face, but can they truly empathize with the current situation facing education? Maybe it is just me, but isn’t it easier to seek advice and solutions from experts who are currently in the firing line, right beside you every step of the way? Another question that comes right to the forefront is, “How much does this cost?” Who is planning on funding this new educational model? This new plan calls for changing assessments, altering standards, and seeking resources through higher education, parents, community, etc. They go on to state that, “Education leaders need to reach out to these partner and work with them to improve education” (Partnership for 21st Century Skills). With anything, that calls for funding, and with the current state of affairs, that seems unrealistic. Lastly, The Washington Post brings forth an argument worth considering:
A sentence from a report by the Tucson-based Partnership for 21st Century Skills illustrates the problem: “Every aspect of our education system—preK-12, postsecondary and adult education, after-school and youth development, workforce development and training, and teacher preparation programs – must be aligned to prepare citizens with the 21st century skills they need to compete.” This is the all-at-once syndrome, a common failing of reform movements. (Mathews, 2009)
The concept of “all or nothing” is difficult to conceptualize; there is not any reform that happens “all at once”. So is this new 21st century model merely setting the educational system up for further failure and disappointment? These are tough realities, and they are tough questions that have to be appeased to some degree.
Overall, there is never going to be an easy solution to any problem, and there is a definite problem plaguing the educational system, that is non-debatable. As a current educator, I agree with many of the theories and practices put forth by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills. Our students need to be able to not only meet the needs of society, but exceed them. However, I do not believe it can be an all or nothing, and yes, funding is an issue. But, there are many avenues I can pursue that will begin the process of preparing my students. It is possible to meet standards and incorporate 21st century skills; my students are living proof. Educators just have to embrace new concepts and incorporate it within their standards and curriculum. At this point, I realize I have to embrace my job and begin the process of lobbying and promoting new learning skills. The implications are simple, move forward or be “left behind”.
Mathews, Jay. (2009, January 5). The latest doomed pedagogical fad: 21st century skills. Washington Post. Retrieved July 22, 2009, from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/04/AR2009010401532.html
Partnership for 21st Century Skills. (n.d.). A report and mile guide for 21st century skills. Washington DC: Author. Retrieved from http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/images/stories/otherdocs/p21up_Report.pdf
Wallis, Claudia. (2006, December 10). How to bring our schools out of the 20th century [Electronic version]. Time. Retrieved July 22, 2009, from http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,156840,00.html
After reviewing the various facets of this site, I am quite impressed with its straightforward initiatives to help the educational realm converge with the current structure of society. In doing so, this organization also offers various affiliates that will assist schools in preparing teachers to adequately implement these new 21st century skills into the classroom. Furthermore, this organization also offers online resources to further enhance the process of incorporating these skills into education. This website is enticing in the aspect that it offers straightforward solutions to an ever-pervading problem that is enshrouding the educational system. Even journalists of Time magazine mock the current state of affairs on the educational by relating it to the fable of Rip Van Winkle and stating, “Kids spend much of the day as their great-grandparents once did: sitting in rows, listening to teachers lecture, scribbling notes by hand, reading from textbooks that are out of date by the time they are printed” (Wallis, 2006). This notion that the educational system is failing to meet the needs of today’s youth because of its outdated practices is a foreboding and menacing concept that can no longer be ignored.
However, is the answer truly diving head first into the first concept that sounds not only appealing but also enticing? As I peruse the many components set forth by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, I cannot help but feel cautious and almost skeptical of the theories and opinions expressed. Many of the site’s creators boast the fact that they were once educators and understand the daily frustration and obstacles that educators face, but can they truly empathize with the current situation facing education? Maybe it is just me, but isn’t it easier to seek advice and solutions from experts who are currently in the firing line, right beside you every step of the way? Another question that comes right to the forefront is, “How much does this cost?” Who is planning on funding this new educational model? This new plan calls for changing assessments, altering standards, and seeking resources through higher education, parents, community, etc. They go on to state that, “Education leaders need to reach out to these partner and work with them to improve education” (Partnership for 21st Century Skills). With anything, that calls for funding, and with the current state of affairs, that seems unrealistic. Lastly, The Washington Post brings forth an argument worth considering:
A sentence from a report by the Tucson-based Partnership for 21st Century Skills illustrates the problem: “Every aspect of our education system—preK-12, postsecondary and adult education, after-school and youth development, workforce development and training, and teacher preparation programs – must be aligned to prepare citizens with the 21st century skills they need to compete.” This is the all-at-once syndrome, a common failing of reform movements. (Mathews, 2009)
The concept of “all or nothing” is difficult to conceptualize; there is not any reform that happens “all at once”. So is this new 21st century model merely setting the educational system up for further failure and disappointment? These are tough realities, and they are tough questions that have to be appeased to some degree.
Overall, there is never going to be an easy solution to any problem, and there is a definite problem plaguing the educational system, that is non-debatable. As a current educator, I agree with many of the theories and practices put forth by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills. Our students need to be able to not only meet the needs of society, but exceed them. However, I do not believe it can be an all or nothing, and yes, funding is an issue. But, there are many avenues I can pursue that will begin the process of preparing my students. It is possible to meet standards and incorporate 21st century skills; my students are living proof. Educators just have to embrace new concepts and incorporate it within their standards and curriculum. At this point, I realize I have to embrace my job and begin the process of lobbying and promoting new learning skills. The implications are simple, move forward or be “left behind”.
Mathews, Jay. (2009, January 5). The latest doomed pedagogical fad: 21st century skills. Washington Post. Retrieved July 22, 2009, from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/04/AR2009010401532.html
Partnership for 21st Century Skills. (n.d.). A report and mile guide for 21st century skills. Washington DC: Author. Retrieved from http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/images/stories/otherdocs/p21up_Report.pdf
Wallis, Claudia. (2006, December 10). How to bring our schools out of the 20th century [Electronic version]. Time. Retrieved July 22, 2009, from http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,156840,00.html
I agree with you that there is no easy solution to any problem, not even the one of getting our students ready to meet the 21st century.
ReplyDeleteLooking at the economic situation all countries are facing it tells me that we will encounter problems financial problems if we want to link to The Partnership for the 21st Century Skills.
When one browse the resource available you find that you will have to have the proper funding to access them. This is a turn off for states and schools that are unable to come up with the funding for the program. We as teachers will need to do our part to unsure that our students are prepared to face the challenges and advancement of the 21st century.
Barbara
Christina,
ReplyDeleteYou have raised some interesting concerns that I also embrace. It is now 2009, going onto 2010 and the partnership for 21st century skills has been in operation since 2002! Has it been only talk thus far? Ten years of this 21st century has almost passed and has there been any strategic plans put in place that is already bearing fruit? The all at once syndrome that you cited appears to be in effect. It would be a pity for the goals of the partnership to dwindle out of sight and thought.
Alison Driekonski has written in her blog that she was not aware of the existence of such a partnership. I like the fact that you questioned and found rather puzzling the involvement of former educators in this organization while yet its main contributors appeared to have not sought the counsel of educators in the "firing line" of educators. Hence, no doubt Alison's lack of knowledge about the organization and your present concern.
Rebecca Polzin, in her blog, questioned whether the organization was realistic in its goals for all Americans to receive equivocally learning opportunities that would befit them with 21st century skills. Your similar assessments are good points to look into as no doubt you are not the only educators who would raise the alarm for aspects of the report/document that are areas of concern.
But, as you said at the end, in the final analysis, whoever does not equip himself or herself to embrace the direction in which technology is influencing education, that person must be ready to either be left behind or to be a part of the running pack. And this concept also applies to any country that does not recognize the need for a reformation in its educational system especially when it is recognized as failing to meet even the foundational skills necessary for the 21st century life.
Jewel Meikle
Science/English
High School
Partnership for 21st Century Skills. (n.d.). A report and mile guide for 21st century skills. Washington DC: Author. Retrieved from http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/images/stories/otherdocs/p21up_Report.pdf