Reflection on 1st Discussion Topic 21st Century Skills

21st Century Skills
This was our class’s first discussion topic and I was impressed with the amount the relevant posts everyone made to it and the good ideas that supported each others questions or concerns. Some of the online classes I have had in the past I had a hard time trying to see the connection of a post to what the article was about or how their post related to someone else’s but not this class. I was excited to post and read what others posted. This group feels more like a class reading, responding, and working together. Everyone seems to have ideas about what they learned or experienced and this has helped me to see another point of view or more support for a point of view I share. I am enjoying learning from reading and contemplating what I am reading.

In the discussions on the 21st century skills I learned that a lot of us felt that computer literacy basics are important for students to have learned prior to college and the younger they use a word document the better. By the end of high school they should be familiar and can easily use the basic programs such as word, excel, publisher, and PowerPoint. Far too often the most they use is texting, IM, or editing myspace. If the computer program skills were included in their elementary learning they would be familiar with the mechanics and the content of the curriculum could be the main focus like it should be. It was also agreed upon that paper and pencil must continue to have its place in the classroom but at the same time wonder about the green movement and its effect on the paper/pencil writing. Others were afraid that history of handwritten drafts would be lost but it was then pointed out that some computer programs adapt for this with a “track edit”.

It is very evident through the discussions that learning does not end at graduation. Educators should have opportunities to continuing education through their place of work in building in-services and updating technology skills throughout their teaching years.

Yet at the same time it was expressed how varied the technology support was from some using land lines to connect to high speed cable. Computers offered at school yet are not in the students homes. It seems it goes from one end of a scale to the complete opposite not only in skill but in equipment as well.

We seem to agree that education is heading into a new wave and teamwork is what is needed.