TRC Book Discussion '10

Comment by Cynde Neufeldt on November 3, 2009 at 10:13am

I would love some ideas. I would like to look at some book titles and reviews. Right now I don't have an idea but will be thinking about it.

Comment by Tammy Gilley on January 18, 2010 at 7:47pm

I am hoping that I'm in responding to chapter one of our book study in the correct location. If I'm not, would someone please redirect me to the right place. Anyway, here is my response to chapter #1.

I do see the changes that have already taken place in the world of work and jobs. We have lost many jobs to outsourcing, and many people in India and China want to move up the social economic ladder. Therefore in order for Americans to sustain the status quo, we have to teach our students to think critically and creatively in order to compete with the rest of the world.

The challenges follow: changing the way we educate students is a slow process, some teachers do want to stay with the old system, some leaders don't have the right vision, education hasn't embraced web 2.0 tools, and students still have to take state assessment that are not truly testing their thinking skills.

Personally, I don't want to see standards go away; and I am glad that they are at the core of 21st century skills. I think those standards hold teachers accountable for what gets taught in the classroom. The NET-S standards can be taught through Project Based Learning Units. I'm thinking of the project that my school is beginning right now. Students are collecting data related to a corner nearby our school. They will use the data to make charts, graphs, and decisions about what they think should happen at the corner. After analyzing the data, students will determine if they believe we should write letters to our city council members to get a stoplight, speed reduction, or a four way stop at the corner. They may even decide to present the data at a council meeting. During this unit, students will be using all of the NET-S standards while addressing those state standards that must be taught and tested. I believe it is possible to do this with Project Based Learning, but many teachers need PD on how to make it happen because they just don't know where to start with PBL.

My vision of a 21 century school would be that everything is student centered, students learn through Project Based Learning, they collaborate in groups and with experts in the real world. Teachers would be more of a facilitator and guide. In high schools, students would have the advantage of moving at an accelerated pace if so desired and graduate early. I think that would motivate older students, and make them more prepared for the global competition they are up against.

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