Partnership for 21st Century Skills

My initial reaction to the website Partnership for 21st Century Skills is that I did not learn anything new. Everything that I read seems like I am already aware of and the website just had general statements basically stating that students need 21st century skills. I am a little frustrated when reading articles or taking classes about technology and 21st century skills because they all say that we need to use them. Well guess what, I do! I realize that all of these articles that I read and trainings I attend are not meant for me. I already have these skills. I now realize that I am part of the generation that grew up with computers and using technology comes natural and easy to me. Technology is a part of my everyday life and I don’t think of it as a separate 21st century skill.

I teach at a school where there are only two other people my age (27 years old) and everyone else is at least ten years older, most are over 50 years old. I have noticed that the two people that are the same age as me use technology frequently and have no problems with it. I have also noticed that the rest of the people who are older than I am never use technology and they are intimidated by it. I do not blame them for not using it because technology can be difficult to use, it can be tough to try to learn a new skill when you are already doing so many other things, and their generation did not grow up with it. This website might be a good place for them to visit.

As I am writing this I can see if someone misunderstands this as me bragging or being rude. Hopefully this is not the case. I just realize that I am very competent when it comes to technology so when I read articles telling me to use technology or someone is telling me why technology is important it just seems redundant to me and boring. I am our school’s webmaster, I have a Physical Education classroom website, I am on our school district’s Technology Advisory Committee, I teach other teachers in our district how to integrate technology into the classroom, and I use technology in my classroom. I would rather have specific information for me about how to use it, especially how to use technology in the Physical Education classroom. For example, integrating heart rate monitors into my classroom or using video and computers to assess students’ movement.

For me, this website just has general statements about the skills students should be learning, but there is nothing specific. It might be a good starting point which can help a person begin to think about incorporating skills that can help students thrive not only in the classroom, but in the future. This website is good because it promotes new skills, but it would be nice to have concrete examples. Technology has been a huge part of our school district for years. Vision 20/20 is at the forefront of our school district's agenda and we have moved past looking at philosophies and ideals, such as this website, and are looking for a way to implement "21st century skills" into the classroom.

I teach elementary Physical Education. One way that I could use a blog is for students to share ideas of the different ways that they exercise and keep active at home. What they do to keep their bodies healthy. Also, if there are any after school events that parents are aware of, then maybe they can share that information with others.

I understand the positive potential for blogs and I am a big supporter of technology. However, I am not willing to use it yet in my classroom. It seems like a potentially dangerous tool that could lead to online bullying. I am sure we have all seen what myspace, email, and text messaging can do to all people, not just children. Last year, our school took away email privileges from all 6th grade students because of online bullying.