Reflections to 21st Century Skills Website

At a rapid pace technology is changing the world in which we live. In order to keep up with this pace educators need to prepare their students to be well rounded mulit-taskers and innovative thinkers. The Partnership for the 21st Century has set out to so just that. This organization is partnering with states across the nation to imrpove the quality of education for our country's youth.

The Partnership has set up a website to inform school disitricts of their plans. I believe this website is an essential tool to in bridging the gap across states for how we plan to incorporate technology into our classrooms. It offers a unified plan that we need. This site is directly focuses on how to implement what our students learn into the business world as well as everyday living. Incorporating these skills and topics will only help our youth thrive as they move into the work force.

I was very impressed with the video on the National Summit of 21st Century Skills. This video states how they are a movement of people, students, parents and administrators for the common good of helping every student become proficient in being able to contribute to society with the proper skills. These skills include becoming better problem solvers, critical thinkers and innovators. Also, this video talks about their vision of states coming together to meet the goals listed below:

• Information and communication skills (information and media literacy skills; communication skills)
• Thinking and problem-solving (critical thinking and systems thinking; problem identification, formulation and solution; creativity and intellectual curiosity)
• Interpersonal and self-direction skills (interpersonal and collaborative skills; self-direction; accountability and adaptability; social responsibility)
• Global awareness
• Financial, economic and business literacy, and developing entrepreneurial skills to enhance workplace productivity and career options
• Civic literacy

What is discouraging about this is that my home state of Ohio is not included in that list. We as Ohio educators need to jump on board with the new way of educating our youth. We do need to prepare them for technology in everyday life.

The 21st century student outcomes are also provided in a unique model that links the outcomes with a mirror curved rainbow that allows teachers to see what activities are relevant in getting students to meet these goals.

For example if I click on 21st century learning environments, I then find six bulleted points that guide me as to what the learning environment of my students should include. I can then make this applicable in a physical education setting.

As I continue my research on this site I will include implications I wish to meet in my classroom in order to work towards these 21st century goals. I will also be seeking out information as to why my state is not yet a partnership in this movement.

As stated by Miners and Pascopella, "They require the ability not just to "read" but also to navigate the World Wide Web, locate information, evaluate it critically, synthesize it and communicate it-- all skills that are becoming vital to success in this century's economy and workforce" (Miners and Pascopella 2007). The 21st Century website is just one profound tool that allows us to get one step closer in getting there.

In conclusion, this is the first I was made aware of this site. My individual plan is to stay informed of updated changes to the organization and see how my state can be included. We are looking to the leaders and politicians of Ohio to aid in this development. I am glad that I am becoming more aware.

Be informed yourself by checking out http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/.




(2004). The Partnership for 21st Century Skills. Retrieved November 25, 2009, from http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/

Miners, Z., & Pascopella, A. (2007). The new literacies. District Administration, 43(10), 26–34.
Used by permission.

Current Events in Physical Education and Sports

Being a physical education teacher and a coach at the high school I think this blog could be used in a couple different ways. First, I would use this blog to post events and important information on different skills and or techniques to become more proficient at the games or activities that we are learning in the class. Also, I could use this blog to keep my students up to date with current events in the sporting news world. Finally, I could use this blog to help students that are struggling with physical education by relating as many different activities or groups as possible to find a common ground with some students.

Integrating technology in Physical Education

I am currently a secondary physical education teacher that is acquiring my masters degree in integrating technology in the classroom. I am in my third class and developing my own blog to correspond with other teachers that are using technology in their classrooms. My hope is that I can develop individualized health and exercise plans for each of my students in my classes by using technology. I hope to use this degree also to help in any other way that is beneficial. Do any other teachers have any suggestions or ideas for me on this topic?