Section 4 Lit Circle Summary

So much info so little time
Let’s start out with a quote “our problems are man- made, therefore they may be solved by man, and no problem of human destiny is beyond human beings.” John F. Kennedy.
The method that uses the power of designing solutions to problem is called designs based learning, or just design.
The learning method based on the power of question is called inquiry – based learning or just inquiry. These are the center of 21st century approach to learning.
Learning the P’s and Q’s,
Learning the problem
Questing at the right time.
The problem- question and inquiry at the heart of learning and understanding. Learning though solving problems.
The Skills are problem solving, communication, collaboration, information and ICT literacy, flexibility and adaptability, self- direction, leadership, and responsibility.
Creativity though projects arts use to be the traditional source for developing creativity. Now it is skills from everyone is now science, technology, engineering, and math “STEM”.
Evidence that projects learning works.
We have been doing 50 year research collaborate small group learning. There are significant benefits for students who work together on learning activities compared to students who work alone. Project learning methods project outcomes. Project outcomes are tied to curriculum and learning goals. Driving questions and problems lead students to the central concepts or principles of the topic or subject area. Student investigations and research involve inquiry and knowledge building. Students are responsible for designing and managing much of their own learning. Projects are based on authentic, real- world problems and questions that students care about.
The problems based on learning… a type of project learning, problem based learning involves projects focused on solving completely, real world problems. Design- based learning a team of students collaboratively designing an educational web site, obstacles to collaborate inquiry and design learning.
Research results are clear that the benefits of collaborative learning are great, and making collaborative team learning work well requires care a number of points including the following selecting compatible team members and defining team rules of the road that support positive collaboration, choosing group a activities that benefit from the differing viewpoints and experiences of team members, using discussion strategies to support deeper learning among team members.

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Section 3

My assigned section touched on Digital Literacy Skills and Career and Life Skills. Expectations on 21st century learners is at a new level. Traditional skills such as communication and collaboration are now viewed in a whole new way. They are literally connected to the entire world with a touch of the finger. Whether at work, home, school or in the community, 21st century learners will have higher demands on accessing, evaluating and utilizing information that is now available at exponential rates. Surrounded by digital media and media choices, students now must choose the best and most effective way to analyze and create. They must also keep in mind the risks that accompany the popular networks such as Facebook and YouTube. The digital literacy skills are continually evolving but also essential for success in the modern world.
It seems to me that in many ways, students have it easier because of all the resources so readily available but on the flip side, that can also become detrimental if one does not possess the skills to sort through and make the most of it all.
Chapter 5 was on Career and Life Skills and the point was made that one of the few areas that is unchanging is the universal need to organize work into projects with time schedules and limited resources. That is why the ability to adapt and practice "flex-ability" is a requirement. An example was given of students serving as a "tech support" team for their school, helping teachers solve technology problems as they arise. I see this as a real usable idea at all levels. It not only benefits the students but assists teachers with staying on top of ever changing technology. The point was made that work teams scattered about the globe and connected by technology are now the norm.
The challenge becomes how to ensure that students have an opportunity to learn all of the described 21st century skills and yet balance it with the core subjects needed for a well rounded education.

21st Century Challenge

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21st Century Learner

This picture shows a child standing near the 21st century skills. His hands

open and accepting of learning these new technology terms.

Book Cover

I picked this image because to acquire 21st century skills you have to be a risktaker.  Ristakers have to make adjustments or they will be out of the game.  Educators will need to develop risking skills to stay in the game to provide students with the technology skills needed for their future. 

21st Century Skills Section 1

I am sooo sorry it has taken me so long to post this. I have had so many problems just getting into the different sites AND my internet isn't working properly.
SO here goes.
Well , I enjoyed reading the first chapter-felt it was interesting and eye opening. I am sure I could find some of the statistics online somewhere-but haven't. They way society is going with technology-is eye opening to me-If everything and everyone becomes so HIGH TECH what will happen to the 'normal jobs' that have to have manual labor? This worries me as we can't all be working with technology. The study explaing how our students graduating from secondary schools lack in a variety of areas causes concern from me also. Communication Skills and Work ethics are so important...we are spending billions of dollars on those issues -why because somewhere down the road they are missing out on those skills.

To Quote: The 21st century challenges each of us to build and maintain our own identity from our given tradions and form the wide variety of traditions all around us. At the same time we must all learn to apply tolerance and compassion for the different identities and values of others." This is very true-because the future holds many surprises for all to learn , accept and grow with.

Section 2

Section 2 of this book begins with the idea that four forces are at work which are creating the need for new forms of learning in the 21st century. They are knowledge work, thinking tools, digital lifestyles and learning research. Knowledge workers are needed to create and innovate new products and services that solve real problems and meet the needs of real customers. This is a driving force for economic growth in this century. Technology and digital devices and services-the thinking tools of our time-may be the most potent forces for change.Today, attempting to memorize all of the facts and knowledge in any field is impossible, but can be accessed with a quick Internet search. This being said, knowing a field's core ideas and principles will never become outdated. Today's young people are the first generation to know more about the most powerful tools for change in our society than their elders and this is changing both family and school dynamics. A one-size-fits-all factory model and one-way broadcast approach to learning does not work well for these students. Learning research tells us that context or authentic learning is much more influential than previously thought. Students need more real-world problem solving to make learning last and be useful. Research also shows that when people have an emotional connection to what is being learned, it can be sustained longer. Both face-to-face and virtual collaborations online have been shown to increase motivation and create better results. How to personalize learning and how to differentiate instruction are two of our greatest challenges for this century. There still is resistance to these changes, but schools are trying to find a balance between focusing on applied skills and learning processes and teaching basic skills and content knowledge. A 21st century education for every child will enable all other challenges that we will face to be met.
Section 3 focuses on identifying 21st century skills and specifically on learning and innovation skills. Critical thinking, problem solving, communication, collaboration, creativity and innovation fall under this umbrella. The first two skills are considered to be the new basics for 21st century learning. Research has shown that it is not necessary to master the content before putting it to use. Actually, using knowledge as it is being learned has shown to increase motivation and learning outcomes. The new revised taxonomy provides proof that the processes can be learned at the same time or even in reverse order.Communication and collaboration are best learned socially, either face-to-face or by virtual means. Traditional education's focus on facts, memorization, basic skills and test taking has not been good for the development of creativity and innovation. One of the most effective ways to develop these skills is through design challenge projects in which students must invent solutions to real-world problems. These skills are essential for learning, work and life in this century.