As a technolgy teacher, I wanted to challenge myself and my students in ways that I never have before. This school year, rather than focusing on learning the technology, I wanted to focus on using the technology for learning. To allow for this, we have not spent any classtime learning any specific software or hardware this quarter, but rather, have spent time on learning how to learn the tools that the students may need to complete their projects. I have provided a variety of books, job aids, Internet Resources, and expert contacts (emails and such), for all of the software and hardware in our building that students may need to use. The students began their quarter-long project by selecting an issue/problem/topic of interest to them and continued on by planning and researching and are now in the design and development stages. I have modeled each step along the way, including the critical thinking skills, the inquiry, the collaboration, and much more as if I were doing a project of my own. I have not hovered over them much, but rather coached them as they have needed it along the way. They complete project journals reflecting on their experiences, and they also complete a self-evaluation every two weeks that asks them to evaluate the skills that they feel they have acquired or at least have become familiar with throughout their project. I have faced many challenges through this experiment and here are a couple of questions that have occured to me along the way:

1. Is it possible to really "teach" 21st Century Learning Skills, or do we just continue to model, coach, and provide opportunities for the students to develop them?
2. If it is possible, what are strategies and ideas to teach them in a way that allow students to acquire and apply them to their learning in all contexts?
3. Are there common 21st century learning skills assessments/rubrics to support this type of learning?

I am looking forward to responses!

4  out of 4 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?    

Show Last Reply