Before starting my unit on genetics, I would give the student a graphic organizer on genetics. I would include questions for them to ask themselves to judge their comprehension:
Archive for November, 2010
21st Century Skills Rebuttle
2010
11.03
11.03
Okay. After thinking more on the topic, I don’t think there are any new skills – other than actual hands-on how to use the technology skills. For example, students need to know how to use a computer, a mac, and a majority of the software. However, these new ideas that are being toted as “skills” are areas of knowledge. For example, on the p21.org website, they cite global awareness, economics, and civics as new skills that are students need to have. What skills make global awareness new today as opposed to the past? Yes, there is more information out there – but it comes down to you can be just as aware of Russia by reading a newspaper as you can a website. It comes down to reading. What we need to teach our students is the importance of being globally aware, taking an interest in international politics, and being knowledgeable about current events. The same is true of economics. The mechanics of economics are the same. The basic principles haven’t changed; but, our students’ knowledge of the subject overtime has waned. It is our duty as teachers to give our students the knowledge needed to function in a 21st century world by utilizing the skills of the 20th.
21st Century Skills
2010
11.03
11.03
When one thinks of 21st Century Skills, computers come to mind. However, computers are not the end-all be-all of such skills. In light of today’s economic meltdown, economics, both national and international, is something that students NEED to know! In addition, global awareness is important to keep our students to becoming xenophobic (much like Stalin’s Russia). However, Sean raises a great point in his post 19 before 21 – students need to be able to read and write so they can utilize those skills. Not only that but students need math skills to be able to understand the various equations involved in financial awareness. Of course, students also need the computer skills needed for life beyond high school. In Chelsea’s 21st Century Skills Debate, she innumerates on the new computer technology forced upon her at university. We do not want our students to start out behind in college or when they enter the workforce, where computer research and presentation skills are a necessity. Computers and global awareness are not going away!