2121stst Century Skills Century Skills

Preparing our Students for a Preparing our Students for a Knowledge-Based Economy…Knowledge-Based Economy…

November 10, 2009.November 10, 2009.

Today’s Objectives:Today’s Objectives:To ask some tough questionsTo ask some tough questionsTo confront our concernsTo confront our concernsTo define what teaching and learning in To define what teaching and learning in

the 21the 21stst century looks like century looks likeTo examine the “big ideas” about 21To examine the “big ideas” about 21stst

century teaching and learningcentury teaching and learningInquiryInquiryQuestioningQuestioning

To begin scratching the surface of Web To begin scratching the surface of Web 2.0 applications and technology2.0 applications and technology

bloggingblogging

A BlessingA Blessing

May your gift of teachingMay your gift of teachingAwaken minds to new ideasAwaken minds to new ideas

And expand hearts beyond boundaries.And expand hearts beyond boundaries.

May your desire to educateMay your desire to educateEvoke the unique gifts of each studentEvoke the unique gifts of each student

And the deep desires of each heart.And the deep desires of each heart.

May your love of learningMay your love of learningLead students to awe and wonderLead students to awe and wonder

At their participation In our sacred universe.At their participation In our sacred universe.

May your story-telling inspire May your story-telling inspire Imagination and CreativityImagination and Creativity

And your example lead those you teachAnd your example lead those you teachTo be generous and noble.To be generous and noble.

And, as you bless your students on their way,And, as you bless your students on their way,May you delight at the gift your life offers to the futureMay you delight at the gift your life offers to the future..

What do you need to know when most of recorded knowledge is a

mouse-click away?

In light of this, what do our students still need to memorize?

How do we prepare our students for jobs that don’t exist..

…using technologies that haven’t yet been invented…

… in order to solve problems that we don’t even know are problems yet?

What does it do to the value of information when everyone is a producer and knowledge isn’t

static anymore?

How do we balance safety and access in order to empower our

students with such skills?

Are you ready for 21Are you ready for 21stst Century Century Teaching and Learning?Teaching and Learning?

It isn’t coming… It has already arrived!

And schools who aren’t redefining themselves And schools who aren’t redefining themselves risk becoming irrelevant in preparing students.risk becoming irrelevant in preparing students.

It is becoming difficult to envision the future It is becoming difficult to envision the future because it changes constantly.because it changes constantly.

Learning has to make sense NOW because Learning has to make sense NOW because what we do now influences the future, as well what we do now influences the future, as well as our past.as our past.

A Changing World…A Changing World…

Some statistics…1 billion people on the Internet57 million blogs, 1.7 million posts each day50 new blog sites created every minute

“None of the top 10 jobs that will exist in 2010 exist today.” (Richard Riley, Former U.S. Secretary of Education)

How does this make you feel?

It’s Cellular!It’s Cellular!

Think of the number of phones with Think of the number of phones with Internet capabilities…Internet capabilities…

Can that accessibility be leveraged in the Can that accessibility be leveraged in the classroom?classroom?

Not just for email or surfing the Net … but for Not just for email or surfing the Net … but for mobile learningmobile learning

Currently, the total number of text messages sent Currently, the total number of text messages sent and received daily exceeds the total population of and received daily exceeds the total population of the planet…the planet…

Knowledge CreationKnowledge Creation

It is estimated that 1.5 It is estimated that 1.5 exabytes (1.5 x 1018) exabytes (1.5 x 1018) of unique, new of unique, new information will be information will be generated this year.generated this year.

That is estimated to be That is estimated to be more than in the more than in the previous 5000 years.previous 5000 years.

Higher Education?Higher Education? For students starting a four-year technical or higher education For students starting a four-year technical or higher education

degree, all this means that half of what they learned in their first degree, all this means that half of what they learned in their first year of study will by obsolete by the third year.year of study will by obsolete by the third year.

What is Meant by 21What is Meant by 21stst Century Century Learning?Learning?

SkillSkill matters mattersAllows one to continue to learning and make Allows one to continue to learning and make

judgment about the meaning, adequacy and judgment about the meaning, adequacy and accuracy of contentaccuracy of content

ContentContent stillstill matters mattersTo make sense of the knowledge-driven worldTo make sense of the knowledge-driven worldTo gain more knowledgeTo gain more knowledge

But WHAT should we teach?But WHAT should we teach?How much is enough?How much is enough?

ACROSS CURRICULAR AREAS

This kind of learning stimulates the This kind of learning stimulates the IMAGINATIONIMAGINATION

It teaches:It teaches:How to construct meaningHow to construct meaningHow to make disparate information coherentHow to make disparate information coherentHow to think critically and solve problemsHow to think critically and solve problemsHow to judge what is relevant, accurate, rightHow to judge what is relevant, accurate, right

One of the main goals of 21One of the main goals of 21stst century learning is century learning is

to promote to promote CURIOSITYCURIOSITY……

This kind of learning requires This kind of learning requires SOFT SKILLSSOFT SKILLS

Valuing and embracing diverse ideas and Valuing and embracing diverse ideas and peoplepeople

Working collaborativelyWorking collaborativelyTolerating ambiguityTolerating ambiguityPossessing the resilience to bounce back Possessing the resilience to bounce back

after set-backsafter set-backs

If you had to create a list of If you had to create a list of essential skills for learning essential skills for learning

in the 21in the 21stst century, what century, what would you include?would you include?

STUDENT LEARNING

DIGITAL-AGE LITERACY

-basic, scientific, economic and technological literacies

-visual and informational literacies

-multicultural literacy and global awareness

INVENTIVE THINKING

-adaptability, managing complexity and self-direction

-curiosity, creativity and risk-taking

-higher-order thinking and

sound reasoning

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

-teaming, collaboration and interpersonal skills

-personal, social and civic responsibility

-interactive communication

HIGH PRODUCTIVITY

-prioritize, plan and manage for results

-effective use of real-world tools

-relevant, high-quality products

Mastery of Core Subjects:Mastery of Core Subjects: EnglishEnglish World LanguagesWorld Languages Arts Arts MathematicsMathematics EconomicsEconomics ScienceScience GeographyGeography HistoryHistory Government and CivicsGovernment and Civics

Interdisciplinary Themes: *Global

Awareness*Financial/Economic/

Business Literacy*Civic Literacy

*Health Literacy

Why are 21Why are 21stst Century Skills So Century Skills So Important?Important?

Why are 21Why are 21stst Century Skills So Century Skills So Important?Important?

What’s so Urgent?What’s so Urgent?

High drop-out rates in OntarioHigh drop-out rates in OntarioEven a high school diploma doesn’t signal Even a high school diploma doesn’t signal

that one is educatedthat one is educatedCultural forces (popular culture, the Cultural forces (popular culture, the

family), emphasis on standardized testing family), emphasis on standardized testing are having adverse affects on students are having adverse affects on students todaytoday

It’s About EngagementIt’s About Engagement

It is NOT simply about keeping our It is NOT simply about keeping our students entertainedstudents entertainedBeing simultaneously intellectually and Being simultaneously intellectually and

emotionally connectedemotionally connectedPurposeful reflectionPurposeful reflection

Making it ALL Public…Making it ALL Public… Unless we are required to articulate our thoughts Unless we are required to articulate our thoughts

and feelings to others and receive timely and and feelings to others and receive timely and appropriate feedback from teachers and peers, appropriate feedback from teachers and peers, most of us convince ourselves that we most of us convince ourselves that we understand something even when we do not.understand something even when we do not.

Peer review, peer editing Peer review, peer editing makes learning makes learning public and provides an opportunity for peer public and provides an opportunity for peer teachingteaching

Critiquing others’ work helps students learn to Critiquing others’ work helps students learn to provide civil and constructive feedback, receive provide civil and constructive feedback, receive criticism, internalize standards and criteria for criticism, internalize standards and criteria for excellence, and reflect on their own work in excellence, and reflect on their own work in progress.progress.

Ultimately, we want students not to please us or simply get good

grades, we want them to please themselves by achieving

worthwhile goals and reaching standards of excellence, thus becoming life-long learners.

Change is Hard…Change is Hard…

Understanding the Understanding the “Net Generation”“Net Generation”

Also known as Also known as MillennialsMillennials Born in or after 1982Born in or after 1982 Technology means MP3, PDA, phones that do it allTechnology means MP3, PDA, phones that do it all Daily communication involves email, text messaging, Daily communication involves email, text messaging,

blogs and cell phonesblogs and cell phones Academically diverseAcademically diverse Consumed by extra-curricular activitiesConsumed by extra-curricular activities Thrive in group settingsThrive in group settings TinkerersTinkerers Ethnically and racially diverseEthnically and racially diverse

Millennials Want to Learn…Millennials Want to Learn…

With technologyWith technologyWith one anotherWith one anotherOnlineOnline In their own timeIn their own time In their own placeIn their own placeDoing things that matterDoing things that matter

A digital immigrant is someone who…A digital immigrant is someone who…A digital native is someone who…A digital native is someone who…

Multitasking / togglingMultitasking / toggling

Multimedia learningMultimedia learning

Online social networkingOnline social networking

Online information searchingOnline information searching

Games, simulations, creative expressionsGames, simulations, creative expressions

Digital Learners Engage By…Digital Learners Engage By…

2121stst Century Learners Utilize… Century Learners Utilize…

Desktop computers with high speed internetDesktop computers with high speed internetPDA’s, iPods, cell phonesPDA’s, iPods, cell phonesFocused softwareFocused softwareLearning and content management systemsLearning and content management systemsVideo, audio conferencingVideo, audio conferencingCameras, video camerasCameras, video camerasMedia productionMedia productionSocial networking sitesSocial networking sitesTime for planning, experimentationTime for planning, experimentation

7 Cs and Component Skills7 Cs and Component Skills

CRITICAL THINKING, PROBLEM SOLVING

Research, analysis, synthesis, project management, etc.

CREATIVITY, INNOVATIONCREATIVITY, INNOVATION

COLLABORATION

TEAMWORK

LEADERSHIP

Cooperation, compromise, consensus, community building

New knowledge creation, solution design, storytelling

7 Cs and Component Skills7 Cs and Component Skills

CROSS-CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING

Diverse ethnic, knowledge, organizational cultures

COMMUNICATION, MEDIA COMMUNICATION, MEDIA LITERACYLITERACY

COMPUTING Effective use of electronic information, knowledge tools

Crafting, analyzing messages, using technology effectively

CAREER, LEARNING SELF-RELIANCE

Managing change, lifelong learning, career redefinition

How Has Teaching Evolved?How Has Teaching Evolved?

Pedagogically?Pedagogically?Technologically?Technologically? In practice?In practice?

1900 2009

How did the previous image of How did the previous image of the “Networked Teacher” the “Networked Teacher”

make you feel?make you feel?

Write your response on the Write your response on the Smartboard. Limit your reaction to Smartboard. Limit your reaction to

a single word.a single word.

The BIG IDEASThe BIG IDEAS

Inquiry-based teaching and learningInquiry-based teaching and learningDeep and meaningful questioningDeep and meaningful questioning

New Teacher Roles:New Teacher Roles:

Dispenser of Knowledge Dispenser of Knowledge Facilitator Facilitator Teacher Teacher Co-learner or Collaborator Co-learner or Collaborator Script Reader Script Reader Curriculum Developer Curriculum Developer Information Consumer Information Consumer Information Producer Information Producer Soloist Soloist Team Member Team Member Isolationist Isolationist Community Builder Community Builder Flock Member Flock Member Educational Leader Educational Leader

Inquiry Based LessonsInquiry Based Lessons

QuestioningQuestioning

Powerful QuestioningPowerful Questioning

If I had an hour to solve a problem and my If I had an hour to solve a problem and my life depended on the solution, I would life depended on the solution, I would

spend the first 55 minutes determining the spend the first 55 minutes determining the proper question to ask, for once I knew the proper question to ask, for once I knew the proper question, I could solve the problem proper question, I could solve the problem

in less than 5 minutes.in less than 5 minutes.

Albert EinsteinAlbert Einstein

What do you use the Internet for?

… personally?

… professionally?

ThisThis was revolutionary… was revolutionary…

Efficient and uniform Efficient and uniform dissemination of dissemination of knowledgeknowledge

Fueled scientific, Fueled scientific, political and social political and social change on a scale change on a scale unlike any other unlike any other invention in historyinvention in history

Today’sToday’s Revolution… Revolution…

Social affiliations and Social affiliations and networkingnetworking

BeingBeing online vs. going online vs. going onlineonline

The web as an The web as an application platformapplication platform

Digital self-Digital self-expression; defining expression; defining and claiming of one’s and claiming of one’s voicevoice

Specialized LanguageSpecialized Language

Who Said It?Who Said It?

“These (new digital) technologies are truly a gift to humanity and we

must endeavour to ensure that the benefits they offer are put at the service of all

human individuals and communities, especially

those who are most disadvantaged and

vulnerable.”

What’s the difference?What’s the difference?

Our students are Our students are contributing to the contributing to the collective collective knowledge of knowledge of cyber space.cyber space.

Are our students using this?Are our students using this?

About 87% of kids (ages 12-17) use the About 87% of kids (ages 12-17) use the InternetInternet

55% of online teens use Social Networking 55% of online teens use Social Networking SitesSites

33% of online teens share their own 33% of online teens share their own creative contentcreative content online online

22% report keeping their own personal 22% report keeping their own personal webpagewebpage

Source: Pew Internet and American Life Project - http://www.pewinternet.org/index.asp

32% say that they have 32% say that they have createdcreated or worked or worked on webpages or blogs on webpages or blogs

19% of online teens keep a blog19% of online teens keep a blog38% of online teens read blogs. 38% of online teens read blogs. 19% of Internet-using teens say they 19% of Internet-using teens say they remix remix

contentcontent they find online into their own they find online into their own artistic creationsartistic creations..

Source: Pew Internet and American Life Project - http://www.pewinternet.org/index.asp

Are our students using this?Are our students using this?

Putting This into Context: Putting This into Context: April 2009 OSSLT SurveyApril 2009 OSSLT Survey

99% have a computer at home99% have a computer at home45% of time used for homework45% of time used for homework55% of time used for other activities55% of time used for other activities

93% of reading time at home allocated to 93% of reading time at home allocated to websites, email and chat/text messageswebsites, email and chat/text messages

95% of writing time at home allocated to 95% of writing time at home allocated to writing on websites, email, chat/text writing on websites, email, chat/text messagesmessages

Consider this…Consider this…

Recent research has Recent research has revealed that students, in revealed that students, in the span of a typical the span of a typical semester, will generate semester, will generate approximately 42 pages approximately 42 pages worth of work for all worth of work for all classes, whereas they will classes, whereas they will

produce in excess of produce in excess of 500 500 pagespages in email and text in email and text messages.messages.

The Benefits:The Benefits:

Collective intelligence Collective intelligence collaboration collaboration Instant gratificationInstant gratificationNon-hierarchical Non-hierarchical democratic democraticPotential for passion; ownershipPotential for passion; ownershipOpen to the public Open to the public real recognition real recognitionPermanence Permanence searchable resource searchable resource

So… what’s the point?So… what’s the point?

A way to differentiate instructionA way to differentiate instructionPromote engagement using various mediaPromote engagement using various media Free! (so these applications fit everyone’s Free! (so these applications fit everyone’s

budget…)budget…)Students ALREADY know how to use Students ALREADY know how to use

these applicationsthese applications

Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy Supported by Web 2.0 Applications

To Blog or Not to Blog…To Blog or Not to Blog…

Why would teachers use this tool?To engage studentsTo engage studentsTo assess writingTo assess writingTo evaluate writingTo evaluate writing

Why would students use this tool?To demonstrate learning in a familiar To demonstrate learning in a familiar

environmentenvironmentTo make meaningTo make meaning