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Evaluating 21st-Century Skills

My reaction to the site:

I thought that the site seemed helpful.  It aimed to educate about the cause.  Overall I think that the site is helpful and could be beneficial.  I have never heard about this specific cause until now.  The site provides lots of information regarding how wonderful their cause it but I would have liked to see what some of the other positions are that are not favoring it.  However, I can totally see why they didn’t put those on the site (or somewhere easily accessible – because I didn’t find them anywhere)

Information that surprised and/or helped develop new understandings:

Learning that 16 states are already on board, I am kind of surprised that Washington is not on the list.  I feel like Washington State is pretty on top of it when it comes to technology.  Thinking about it, I feel that our administrators and investigating it fully to be sure of the possible repercussions.

Information I disagree with:

I will admit that I am not one to be super critical of something that I am not very familiar with.  That being said the only things that I disagree with are some of the suggestions that the site says that you should do.  It isn’t that I disagree with them as much as I’m not sure how much people could actually do these things.  For example the site says that if you are a “business leader or community leader” you can “provide students with authentic learning opportunities”.  I’m not sure that business leaders or community leaders with no education on educational wording they won’t necessarily know what authentic learning opportunities are.  I am sure that if they really wanted to find out it really wouldn’t be that hard.

Implication for students and myself as a contemporary educator:

I believe that this would be extremely beneficial for students.  I think that the district that I am in would have no problem complying with what the site is trying to orchestrate.  I know that Washington State is moving towards the common core standards.

Some things that I worry about would be how much time it would take out of our already tightly packed day.  Obviously, I would want to incorporate technology into each subject but some of the 21^st century skills could prove challenging to work into each grade level.

Don't be too harsh on the comments, but they are appreciated - thanks!  :)

Blogging in the Classroom

I might use a blog in my classroom to post homework or newsletters for my students and parents.  I think that having an area for students (and parents) to find homework would be beneficial.  I know that in my classroom I require the kids to copy down homework in their planners.  Many times students won't write down an assignment because they already did it.  If parents could see all the homework (even the work their child has completed), they could double check to be sure that they did complete it.  This is something that I may try to tackle this year.
Another reason for a blog in the classroom could be to help students develop their writing.  I know that I post prompts for my students to answer and this allows them to go as deep as they want into the prompt and to backup their reasons.
I started a blog at the end of this year for my class and only got to do some quick prompts.  I think that a blog could be a place to reflect and interact about content.  I will need to further deepen my expectations for my blog before I decide how I want my students to use it.  I also think that at 5th grade they may not be ready to reply to others responses.  I first want to develop their understanding of how to respond with quality thoughts.  I think that a blog could be a place for the students to showcase their work, most defiantly.  I don't think that at 5th grade, this will be something I will tackle (at least not yet).  I do, however, see how this could be beneficial.  Students get to show off something great that they can do, or show something they worked really hard on, and they can get feedback from their peers.
I think that a blog could enhance a lesson by further extending the students thinking.  I think that they could access a website to do some deeper thinking or respond to classmates thinking and questions.  
If you haven't caught it yet, I am a 5th grade elementary teacher.  I believe that a blog will unite the class together as a whole and will deepen the child's respect for each other and for the internet and the power that it can have - and will have - on their education.