Mobley-Lawson,+Crislyn

Linda - I was able to revert to my last version. Your comments are not here (though I can probably find them in later versions), but my notes are back. - Cris
 * Use the course materials to help you respond to these questions for each Module.**


 * Module 1 Notes**
 * 1) What skills you think today's students will need to be able to live and work in the 21st Century?
 * Before doing the reading, the skills I listed as necessary were:
 * Technology skills, being comfortable using technology
 * Communication skills, written and verbal, as well as the ability to speak another language
 * The ability to think outside the box
 * Problem-solving skills
 * The ability to research and evaluate resources
 * 1) How you are preparing your students to gain these skills? If you are not currently teaching: How are educators preparing students to gain these skills?
 * One of things our district is doing is adopting the Common Sense Media Digital Citizenship Curriculum . I 'm seeing several areas where lessons in the curriculum (such as research and source evaluation) directly tie to skills that students will need. In addition to implementing project-based learning where I can, I also have students work individually, in pairs, and in groups. Project Cornerstone curriculum addresses not only anti-bullying, but also problem-solving, leadership and self-esteem skills.
 * 1) What is the difference between ’Foundation Skills" and "Functional Skills"?
 * Foundation Skills are those that form the basis that all students will need in order to be a successful and responsible member of society, regardless of what profession they enter. Functional skills are those that are more specific and can vary from job to job. They still are fairly basic, in that the majority of professions will require the majority of these skills, but they can change depending on your profession and level of authority.
 * 1) How well your curriculum and current instructional strategies are helping your students acquire these skill? If your are not currently teaching how well do you think our schools are using instructional strategies to help students acquire these skills?
 * Our school is definitely looking at 21st Century skills and how to modify our curriculum to teach students these skills. This includes incorporating more project-based learning, using technology in a variety of ways - not only with my teaching, but with student assessment and performance. I think (hope) that the focus of Common Core with career readiness, will put the focus even more on helping students acquire these skills.
 * 1) Think about today's students and the potential professions they might go into. Which of these skills might each student need? How can we make sure that all students are prepared with the skills necessary to enter the 21st Century Job Market? \
 * A number of the professions that might enter don't even exist yet. Although a focus of Common Core is career-readiness, it's challenging to prepare students for an unknown entity. I see both the Foundational and Functional skills as something that all students will need to be successful. There are specific skills and knowledge that will vary from profession to profession, but with the increase in a technological and global society, even professions that are considered "blue-collar" or "manual-labor" today, will need to either evolve with the use of these skills, or vanish.
 * 1) What patterns are beginning to emerge between the various resources you’ve been exploring? How do these skills compare with the list you made in question 1?
 * I'm seeing the same types of skills being required, regardless of what the job is. In addition, a recurring theme is the fact that information is increasing at an exponential rate, and that technology can become obsolete almost as soon as it emerges. The fact that we are preparing students for careers and problems that we have no concept of what they are, using technology can be as unfamiliar to us as a foreign language is a huge challenge.
 * In looking at the list I initially made, all the skills I listed are those that I found in either the foundational or functional skills. But there are so many more that I see now that I'm starting to working through this course.


 * Module 2 Notes**
 * 1) How can we make personalized learning a part of our schools and classrooms?
 * I think one way to make personalized learning work in the classroom is to adopt a workshop approach to as many practical areas as possible. With my writer's workshop lessons, I teach a mini-lesson on one skill or strategy, then students spend the remaining time working in that subject area on writing that interests them. The same goes for reading. They are still confined by the time I have set for that subject though. In a true personalized learning arena, I think students would not be restricted by grade level, allowing them to move at a comfortable pace for them. In that case, teachers would specialize in a particular area, and work with students of several ages, all of whom are at that particular place in time.
 * 1) How do we help our students become real learners?
 * To get our students to become real learners, we have to teach them to tools to be able for manage their learning for themselves. They have to not only have the passion and motivation to learn, but also the skills to find information, evaluate it, process and then apply or integrate what they've learned with previous knowledge to solve problems or create something new. So, it's helping them find out what they are passionate about, and then steering them in the right direction armed with the tools they'll need to be successful.
 * 1) What is/should be the role of assessment in student learning? How can we improve upon our assessment practices in order to really help all students be engaged, life-long learners?
 * Right now, most assessments tend to be summative ones, "Does the student know this information or can they do this activity at this point in time?". And the answer is either yes or no, with few opportunities to go back and improve. Assessments should focus on the formative: what skills/knowledge does the student have now, what do they need to know or do next, and how can we support their meeting that next goal? If they didn't meet the goal, reevaluate and revise the plan until they do meet that goal. Students who are successful are generally more motivated to continue learning. By giving them the tools they'll need and teaching them to manage their own learning, they'll be more likely to continue to want to learn.
 * 1) What is the role of e-learning, and how will/isl this change(ing) the educational paradigm?
 * I think e-learning is going to drastically impact education. Just taking the learning out of the four walls of the classroom and the 8-3 schedule. Students will have access to educators and professionals all over the world that can help them with their learning. They can work at time, place, schedule, that fits with their life and goals.
 * 1) How do your students compare with the 21st Century learners described in Mark Prensky"s article on "The 21st Century Digital Learner"?
 * My students probably share some of the same concerns as the students in the article. They are required to shut off their cell phones while at school. When they think about the type of collaboration they want to do, many of my students prefer partner or solo work to group work - saying that there are fewer arguments and people put in more effort when working with just one other person. They generally prefer opportunities where they can use computers or other technology. My science class is mostly hands-on labs, so they enjoy that; but language arts is probably their least favorite subject . They enjoy the freedom to read what they want, as part of my Reading Workshop program, but many of them don't like to write, even though they also have choices in that area too. After school, most of my students are kept very busy with sports practice, language/culture programs (Indian or Chinese school), or other enrichment activities.
 * 1) HotChalk’s article on 21st Century Learners? If you are not a teacher: How do you as a student or your children compare with the 21 Century learners described in this article?
 * With my 5th graders, I feel many of them are at the beginning of where the students in this article are. Several of them have cell phones, most (though not all) have e-mail addresses and they are fairly comfortable using the technology I have available at school. This allows me to implement some projects where I don't have a firm grasp of the technology - for example, I do an i-movie project for a psa based on some persuasive writing they did. I know the basics of how to set up an i-movie, but that's it. If the kids have questions, I show them how to use the Help feature, and then ask that they show other students how to do the same.
 * 1) To what extent to you see your students (or your children, or yourself as a student) possessing the qualities shown on thegraphic on the wiki for the International School in Bangkok? If you see any gaps, what do you consider the reason for these gaps, and how might educators help students gain these skills and qualities?
 * Most of my students posses some of the skills shown in the graphic, though not all. For example, they can have difficulty working on group projects together, or tend to accept everything they find on the web as fact. My students are still in the early years of their learning, so it will be part of my job to help them attain these skills. Several ways I can do this are by providing opportunities for students to work together in various situations (self-selected groups, teacher-selected groups, multi-grade level groups, and long-distance working groups). I can also help with structuring groups so that each student has a specific role, but that the success of the group relies on everyone contributing with their strengths. In addition, I hope to use the Common Sense Media curriculum to help students research and evaluate sources to assist with their learning, and to synthesize this information into making new learning, not just copying over what they found and passing it off as their own.
 * 1) To what extent are you, your children or your students Effective Learners, Effective Communicators, and Effective Global Collaborators.?
 * I have a wide range of skills and motivations among my students. Some are eager to find out as much as they can about a subject, and will go above and beyond in looking for and sharing resources with others. Others appear to be uninterested in anything that is going on at school, and would sit staring at the wall for an hour, if allowed; or rely on someone else for answers rather than figuring out for themselves what needs to be done. Some are very articulate, both in writing and speaking, while others have difficulty writing coherent sentences or break down in tears if required to speak in front of the class.
 * 1) To what extent is your school (or your children's school) and classroom meeting these needs?
 * Our school is adopting the Common Sense Media curriculum, which will help students acquire the skills they need to me 21st Century learners. In addition, I am always looking for ways to modify my instruction to engage students in learning, help them become more independent in accessing resources for learning, and communicate/collaborate with others to create and share learning.
 * 1) How might you rethink your classroom to make it a 21st Century classroom? What are the barriers you face to making your class a 21st Century learning environment? If you are not currently teaching how should classrooms be re-thought?
 * One way that I could modify my classroom, is to have a variety of options available for students to direct and show their learning. For example, when studying astronomy, enabling students to choose a focus area to learn about, direct them to a wide variety of resources and provide opportunities for students to consult with experts in the field, then have them decide on a way to take what they've learned and put together on their own, or with others, a representation of their knowledge and be able to share it with a wide audience. Barriers that I face, are access to technology, either in my classroom or getting into our computer lab; a limited amount of time to be able to cover each area and how to integrate the new Common Core Standards with 21st Century learning.


 * Module 3 Notes**
 * 1) List how your school and classroom environments support 21st Century learning outcomes. If you are not teaching, think about your school experience of the your children's school. Consider:
 * the extent to which faculty at your school collaborate, share best practices and integrate 21st century skills into classroom practice
 * It depends on the grade level, the amount of collaboration that goes on. Larger grade levels, like 1st grade, seem to collaborate more, though not all teachers participate. When you get to 5th grade, there are only 3 of us, and with the curriculum split that we have, between zero and one other subject are taught by multiple teachers. For example, I will be the only 5th grade science teacher this year for all 108 students. Several of us are on the district technology team though, and are working to help provide opportunities for teachers to incorporate 21st Century skills into their classroom.
 * students learn in relevant, real world 21st century contexts such as project-based and applied learning experiences
 * Again, this depends on the teacher. The push has been to integrate more project-based learning, though some teachers are resistant to changing existing curriculum. The adoption of the new Common Core Standards may make this happen a little easier.
 * students experience equitable access to quality learning tools, technologies and resources
 * It's always a challenge to get into the computer lab, especially for a long-term project. I am fortunate that the majority of my students have technology access at home, so we are able to move some aspects outside the classroom. We use our class wiki for students to find and post resources that others can use.
 * to what extent architectural design of your classroom creates space for for group, team and individual learning
 * My classroom is the standard large, rectangular room with white boards on two walls. My desks are arranged in groups of four, primarily for science labs. Students are able to work with a partner either at their desks, or on the carpet during mini-lesson time. I also don't require that students sit at their desk during reading/writing workshop, so they find a space that is comfortable for them, whether it's under the desk, in the closet, or sprawled out across the floor.
 * to what extent you provide opportunities for both face to face and online interaction with community members and experts in their field for your students
 * I try to find opportunities for outsiders to visit the classroom/school. Our school generally has several assemblies or discovery days where they bring in an author to talk about his work, or professionals to share what they do. The students are generally limited to three or four presentations during the discovery days, so they can't meet everyone. I have an IBM engineer visit during the year, as well as an art docent from the San Jose Museum of Art. Occasionally, a parent will make a presentation. I've never tried doing an on-line interaction, though we have watched interviews of experts. This will be something to look into.
 * to what extent does your school and classroom reflect the 21st Century Learning environment
 * Our school is all over the board in regards to individual classrooms. Some teachers still have the students sit in straight rows (though most do some sort of grouping), and use paper packets and an overhead projector. Others, like mine somewhat, are more technology oriented. My student desks are in groups of four, though I generally do language arts mini-lessons with all the students seated on the carpet, then they are free to read or write wherever they are most comfortable. I have a laptop, lcd projector, document camera, and dvd/vcr player. I use my own iPad with remote access software to control my laptop when needed, as well as a personal iPod Touch and iPhone. The three desktop computers in my room are very old, but we have a cobbled together laptop cart of 8 that we can use, and wireless access to the Internet. We have one computer lab that can handle two primary or one upper elementary class, and old iMacs in the library for Type to Learn lessons that each student completes. We just acquired an iPod Touch cart that I was able to use at the end of last year for a photograph composition lesson for art. Our tech team is working on how to best provide access to that cart, and lessons/apps that would work well.


 * Module 4 Notes**
 * 1) In what ways are your assuring that the 21st century skills taught discretely in the context of core subjects Is your curriculum interdisciplinary? If you are a middle or high school teacher how can you or do you collaborate with teachers in other departments to create multidisciplinary projects?
 * Even though I am a 5th grade teacher, I generally teach only two subjects. This year, I will teach Language Arts to two classes (66 students) and science to all of 5th grade (108 students). My partner teacher will cover Math for our two classes, and Social Studies for all of 5th . A 3rd teacher will teach "Enrichment", which covers items such as Science Camp Prep, Report Writing, Geography, Technology, etc... Several of our writing/speaking projects are multidisciplinary, incorporating either Science or Social Studies content areas. One way to do this would be to have theme units would incorporate standards from multiple areas. Teachers would have to agree to either 1) grade the portions that fall into other disciplines, or 2) allow other teachers to grade elements of the project that fall into their own discipline.
 * I try to incorporate projects where students have choice in the task they complete, work in pairs or groups, use technology for research and production.
 * 1) How does your curriculum focus on providing opportunities for applying 21st century skills across content areas and for a competency-based approach to learning?
 * The focus at our school is on adopting 21st Century skills, so we are always looking for ways to tweak what we are already doing in the classroom. It might be adding a digital element to an existing project, or finding an opportunity for working on a project with students from another grade-level or country.
 * 1) What instructional strategies do you use to enable innovative learning methods that integrate the use of supportive technologies such as inquiry-based, project-based and problem-based approaches as well as promote higher order thinking skill?
 * I try to use a wide variety of strategies in my teaching. My science labs all begin with a focus question that students will try to find an answer for during the lab and subsequent reading/discussion. Students create plant/animal guide books in preparation for our week of outdoor science school. We have a class wiki that students can use to post resources that they've found for other students to access. A lot of collaborative work is done using google docs so that students can work together, both at school and home.
 * 1) How do you encourage the integration of community resources beyond school walls?
 * We survey our parent community at the beginning of the year, to see if they can be a good resource for our students. I also sign up for opportunities to have professionals come and speak to my students about elements of art or engineering. In addition, we take field trips to places like the planetarium or our week of outdoor science school to address other standards.
 * 1) How can you better integrate 21st Century skills into your curriculum.
 * I can better integrate 21C skills by just always looking for opportunities to modify my curriculum, continue to participate in professional development in 21C skills and work with teachers at my school, district and other areas to create with or see what they are doing and use that as a model.

IF you are not currently teaching answer this from the point of view of your children's school or your experience as a college student.


 * Module 5 Notes**
 * 1) What are the best uses of technology to promote student learning in a 21st Century Classroom?
 * Good uses of technology include access to resources not available in the classroom, ie Internet research, Skype interviews, Google docs or wikis for collaborative student work, ability to publish student output to a global audience.
 * 1) What strategies can teachers use to assure their students are acquiring the 21st Century skills necessary for their future?
 * Strategies that teachers can use are to examine current curriculum to see where it can be modified to incorporate 21C skills, find resources - hardware, applications, resources, design specific lessons/projects to address 21C skills, and refine assessments to see what students have achieved and still need.


 * Module 6 Notes**
 * 1) What aspects of Finland's educational model work in the United States?
 * One item from Finland's model that would work here is the looping that the teachers does with their students. I have heard that there tends to be very little in the way of discipline/behavior problems as any issues are worked out the very first year, since everyone knows that they will be together for six years. Teachers have the opportunity to really get to know their students, and students the teacher - so that little time is needed each new school year to set in place rules and procedures. We occasionally have teachers here loop for two years, but not six. A concern that I have about that though, would be the need to know six years worth of standards. As a 5th grade teacher, I work to make my lessons better from year to year, I revise projects, tweak lessons, change schedules, etc. On a Finnish model, it would six years before I taught those lessons again.
 * Other items I like, are that Finland only takes the best for their teaching staff, and that they are highly educated and respected. Yes, teaching here does require post-graduate work (at least in California), but there is no requirement for continuing education. The final item would be the autonomy that the teachers have there. I am fortunate that we have a fair amount of freedom in how we teach in our school. I need to meet the state standards, but I'm not required to be on a specific page of the text book on any given day, or to even use the text book at all.
 * 1) How can we best reshape education so that all students gain the skills they need to live and work in the 21st Century?
 * I think that reshaping education almost needs to be a grass-roots effort . We start in our classrooms, trying to incorporate 21C skills in what we ask students to achieve. From there, we share with other teachers at our school, join technology committees at the district level, lead professional development sessions and mentor others, until 21C teaching becomes the norm, rather than the exception.