http://bit.ly/21centskills *Skim this article and comment on what you found interesting, agreed with or disagreed with
20 Comments
chris camilleri
3/27/2012 01:34:59 am
I agree that it is ideal to teach students about technology and how this could be helpful in school but also outside of school to. Technology is a huge part of the world we live in so teaching them while they are young would be beneficial in overcoming the difficulties of learning this new skill as they get older. I disagree/agree with Texas middle school about students getting wireless laptops to do work at home. I think it is a good idea for school to do this for their classrooms, but it could be very costly and it could also allow kids and other people in their house to use the laptops for things non relevant to school . Also the ACCESS program is something I see as being beneficial because it gives students another way for students to gain a different learning experience. If students are learning about mummies for example, the students could get a online tour of a museum specifically about mummies. This will really engage the students and also allow the students to retain what they are learning.
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Juan Moreno
3/28/2012 07:39:51 am
One of the arguments in the article that I found interesting is the countries that place a high value towards knowledge and innovation tend to lead the world in prosperity. Laws such as proposition 13 have limited the funding and resources that were once available in california schoos. This law caused the state of california to move from one the very top performing states in education to become one of the worst. If we place value in our education system we will continue to thrive and enjoy a prosperous future. The world is catching up to the United States in terms of technological advances. The education system in the United States is one of the worst sectors in terms of using technology to increase productuvity. The education system must reach out and take advantage of the opportunities provided through technological advances in order to remain competitive and prepare students to enter the workforce.
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Victor Guendulain
3/28/2012 12:25:17 pm
In the article, it was mentioned that technology can help States and Districts update their standards in order to meet the changing demands of their students. It is also mentions that it is important for teachers and administrators to be proficient in 21st Century skills. I agree that technology is essential to student leaning and engagement. It can also help students learn how to compete in a 21st Century globalized world. However, I also believe that some school Districts in working class communities may continue to have limited access to resources to meet the learning demands of all of their students. Technological devices (software and hardware) are costly and many working class families do not have the economic resources to support their children schools. I agree that by using technology we (educators) can facilitate student learning. In order to do so and in order to support schools in working class communities, it is important to have the leadership that can advocate and fight for the resources needed.
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Rodrigo Oliva
3/28/2012 01:38:44 pm
After reading the article, Maximizing the Impact: The Pivotal Role of Technology in a 21st Century System. I find I agree with some of the ideas the article presents. I agree that we need to implement technology in every classroom in order to compete in this world wide economy. I believe that we do need technology in our classrooms because students need to know what resources they have and what they can use to achieve their educational and lifetime goals. I also believe that technology is not the only problem we need to solve in order to develop proficiency in the 21st century. I think that the educational system needs to fix the broken parts in the educational structure. How are we helping students become successful, is it just by bringing more technology into the classroom? How are you helping students succeed when you are raising tuition every 6 months, how are you helping students go to grad school, when the government does not provide financial help. You spend major part of your life in school and after you finish you owe another part of your life just to pay for debts. If the government wanted to fix the educational system, all they would have to do is stop creating wars and start investing in education. The government rather waste billions of dollars manufacturing bombs and guns than invest in books and technology. I agree that technology can make a difference, but that difference is minimal because we still have bigger problems to fix, which the government could careless because they say it is important, but words mean nothing when they have not done a thing to change it. That is why other countries have a better educational system, because they try to provide a free education and create individuals that will make a difference rather than charge fees that make students think twice about getting an education. How are you suppose create innovation when a school system that is broken shatters your dreams before you even start dreaming. Technology is the key, but the educational door is locked with chains.
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I agree with this theory about using technology in the classroom more to enhance the students technology knowledge by maximizing it because students would prosper more for their future careers and life. I feel that if I was more exposed to technology in my past classrooms, I would be able to work with so much more activities, projects, and learn how to create more on my own. I feel that the education in America is in need of much change, for technology is only progressing faster and faster, yet we remain to not progress with technology through our school system education. I found that it was interesting on the three main points on why we should increase knowledge on technology because I agree with these points.
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Darya Morozova
3/28/2012 03:03:23 pm
The author explains that using technology is very important for developing and strengthen proficiency in 21the century skills. I agree that we need to implement technology in each classroom to be able to help students to achieve in their learning process
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Joanna Chacon
3/28/2012 03:14:02 pm
In the article, “Maximizing the impact…,” it urges educators and administrators to create a 21st century education system that will be able to deliver a technology savvy and competitive America. I agree with a couple of my classmates, the article proposes an idealization of what should be happening in our classroom without taking into consideration other outside elements. For example, not all schools and communities will have access to resources that support innovative technological programs. Also, I believe that the teachers creating and teaching the curriculum that reflect a 21st century technological education system, will have to possess the skills that will support this ideal way of teaching. However, if schools had the resources to implement a curriculum centered on the 21st century skills (where each student receives a laptop), students would definitely become successful in the competitive world we live in.
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Marc Minor
3/28/2012 03:44:05 pm
This article is about how schools need to integrate technology into the curriculum so that American students will succeed in a more technological advanced world. Doing this will make sure that future students will be able to compete with other nations that embrace technological advances. The main points they feel should be covered are; 1. Use technology comprehensively to develop proficiency in 21st century skills. 2. Use technology comprehensively to support innovative teaching and learning. 3. Use technology comprehensively to create robust education support systems. They provide a frame work for 21st Century Learning which does include the standards and adds 21st Century Themes, Learning and Innovation Skills, Information, Media, and Technology Skills, Life and Career Skills, 21st Century Education Support Systems. Then how to implement. Use Technology Comprehensively to Develop Proficient in 21st Century Skills. Including Videoconferencing, Competing and Collaborating Online, Instant Messaging for Learning, and use of Laptops. The next step to Use Technology Comprehensively to Support Innovative Teaching and Learning. This step covers One-to-One Computing to engage Students and Boost Achievement, Technology to Support Personalized Instruction, and Distance Learning to Offer Different Kinds of Learning Experiences. Finally Use Technology Comprehensively to Create Robust Education Support Systems. This step involves, National Partnership Commits to 21st Century skills, Using Technology to Make Informed Decisions, Handhelds to Help Educators Stay on Top of Student Progress, and Networked Educated Transforms Teaching and Learning. There are is also need for a lot of action principles for steakholders in the education system. All of these actions are part of making Students succeed in the 21st Century.
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Josh Hollister
3/29/2012 06:15:20 am
I thought it was very telling that education ranks last in regards to its use of technology. Successful businesses today are constantly incorporating new technologies and online programs to streamline, diversify, and increase efficiency. Education could greatly benefit from a similar rigorous devotion to technological relevancy. Children experience a great deal of their social and extracurricular life through online mediums. Therefore it is also automatically relevant with their social habits and lifestyles. I also agree that technology use is imperative to students’ capabilities in a modern workforce. The anthropology video viewed in class emphasized how new jobs are constantly being created and how old industries are rapidly changing as a result of technological advances. Students should have the opportunity to become well versed in common programs and online systems in order to be prepared to enter the modern workforce. Lastly, I agree that technology also has the potential to diversify and strengthen communication for teachers and administration. Social networks and online programs allow for faster and more efficient networking, communication, and peer building. The greater the resources and efficiency of the teachers and administration, the more effective the school will be.
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Sandie Hartzie
3/29/2012 06:18:01 am
I am not sure if I agree with this article which emphasizes that technology should be included in every aspect of education – to create a 21st century education system with concentrated use of technology. It seems that the executives who wrote this article believe that our country is at a level where Americans are about to fall behind universally in comparison to the rest of the world in their productivity and prosperity. They say that if American students don’t receive a 21st century education based on technology, they will not be able to compete in a universal market. Technology tools are very expensive and many school districts are on limited budgets. Teachers have been laid off and others are getting pink notices. I doubt that many districts could afford updating their technology unless they get funding from their State’s budget. If they do get funding, that’s great but I feel it’s not necessary to have technology in every aspect of education. There are some core subjects that students can learn well from teacher-directed instruction, such as math. There are so many kinds of manipulatives that can be used to enhance learning. Therefore, I do not totally agree with this article.
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Hanah Nguyen
3/29/2012 02:06:11 pm
The article makes a valid point in recognizing the fundamental role technology has on 21st century education. In order to enable students with the powerful tools to participate and succeed in a competitive world, schools must create opportunities for students to utilize modern technology for relevant and purposeful lessons. The article proposes that proficiency in 21st century skills makes the possibility of enhancing the learning, development, and future of students to be infinite. While these notions are ideal, it does not take into consideration socioeconomic status, geography, or school funding. The article leans toward schools that are privileged to state-of-the-art scientific instruments, modes of multimedia, and access to technological resources.
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Yazmin Rosa
3/30/2012 11:36:03 am
On one hand, the article mentions how other countries are surpassing America in its ability to train the next generations and how we need to use technology to “catch up”. My questions are: Do most of these countries rely on technology to accomplish better education? To what extent do we know that switching from a traditional education will lead to better results, if this has not been the case so far? How can we incorporate the advantages that technology provides without creating new handicaps for our students, such as the compulsion to copy and paste? On the other hand, the article mentions the advantages of using technology in the classroom. These are apprenticing with experts, engaging and motivating students, and differentiating instruction to meet individual needs. I agree that teachers need to make a point of increasing the use of technology in the classroom to benefit from these advantages. Our students deserve to be exposed to richer content and a variety of viewpoints. Ultimately, I think technology is neither good nor bad; it simply depends on how it is used. It will take some time to figure out what are the best ways to go about incorporating it into the classroom and having other schools follow.
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RoseAnn Griffin
3/30/2012 02:44:03 pm
I have to agree with the article Maximizing the Impact: The Pivotal Role of Technology in a 21st Century System that technology needs to be implemented more in the classroom. Students need to be experienced with computer skills in order to be competitive in their future job employment opportunities. All jobs today incorporate technology in one way or the other. The problem that arises is that schools do not even have the proper funding to buy text books to teach the core subjects, let alone fund technology programs. I agree with Hannah that it will become privileged schools that will be able to provide the state-of-the-art scientific instruments and have access to technological resources. I feel that even though technology is extremely important and needs to be integrated in the curriculum, we first need to look at revamping our educational system so it can run more efficiently and teachers can have the resources need to teach in the 21st century.
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Sokchhavy Nou
3/31/2012 03:20:25 pm
This article emphasizes on how important technology can greatly impact the performance of our students in learning core subjects, applied skills, participate in global economy, or manage their own destinies. I agree that students should learn and be familiar with the 21st century technology and be ready to compete in the global market; however we, as educators, must also help student to realize that basic human interactions are just as important. For example, learning to greet people in a certain manner such as shaking hands, or say “Hi!” with a smile, and eye contact, or actually making a conversation while having lunch, dinner, or while traveling together rather than just glue to a laptop, an iPhone, or an iPad. In order to be ready and to compete with the world market, I believe we should have balance in technology as well as other skills that involve direct human interactions.
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Elvia Diaz
4/1/2012 01:40:33 pm
Maximizing the role of Technology in the 21st century, what does this mean exactly? After reading the article I especially found the part that says "schools use technology sparingly rather than as a critical component". If schools do not have the proper resources to buy essentials such as paper, pencils and books, they are not able to purchase state of the art technology equipment. Over the years I have often become very disappointed to see two schools within the same district but in two different parts of town with very different resources. Why is that? One school can have the greatest technology while the other is scarcely holding on to their outdated equipment. As the article states technology should support innovative teaching and learning for all children!
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Theodore Caskey
4/2/2012 04:54:07 am
What first really grabbed my attention when approaching the "Maximizing the Impact" article was the amount of names of people collaborating as members of the "Task Force" from so many different successful companies and groups. This showed to me that people are clearly spending a lot of time and really trying to make education because better in the future. I like how the article recognized right away its stance that currently we are not "maximizing" or making the best of usage of technology in eduction. So right from the start it's clear that these people understand there is need for improvement. The article also notes early on that we, as educators, must prepare all students to become technologically proficient. This reminded me of The No Child Left Behind Act that was introduced during George W. Bush's presidency.
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Andres Zamora
4/2/2012 09:05:50 am
The Role of Technology in the 21st Century is beyond compare when looking back at the past century. With technology evolving exponentially, it is not surprising to demand from any individual joining the work force a sound foundation in technological knowledge. With the economic downturn of the past decade, districts might not be able to perform the technological functions that society demands. Slowly but surely, schools are implementing pilot programs that are strictly online based and demand a rigorous understanding of technology. That all public schools will implement a curriculum that is based highly on technology is not foreseeable at the moment because of economic factors and the vast labor pool of veteran teachers that were not exposed to 21st century skills themselves. There is a huge learning curve for both students and teachers in order to meet the demands of the technological revolution that is in its heyday.
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Thuyen Nguyen
4/2/2012 04:50:40 pm
Many teachers would agree that engaging student is one of the toughest yet most important aspects of teaching. Without the proper motivation and engagement from students, students are only utilizing fractions of their learning potential. Time, money and energy are wasted when students are not fully engaged in the classroom. Whether we like it or not, students are more engaged staring at a computer monitor than a blackboard. Lesson plans and resources need to be integrated with technology to keep up to date with our student’s learning styles.
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Marisela B-Quinonez
4/11/2012 04:09:53 pm
This article is about helping students learn, achieve and prepare for the 21th century using technology. The use of computers in the classroom could be ideal, but not all the schools could afford a computer for each student in the classroom to acquire the 21th skills.Some classroom have 5 or 6 computers and the students take turns during the day or the week. There is, however, a computer lab for all the classes to share and complement academic instruccion. In addition, some families do not have a computer at home for their students expand their practices. Yes, computers are useful to help those students who are learning a new language, need, support in different subjects and or need a differentiate instruction. Therefore, the things are fine as they are now, the students can learn in their schools about the necesary 21th century skills to compete with other countries' advances. However, the money investment in computers to create a "Robust education" and the time use in class and the computer lab should be meausured. The 21th century goal and skills is the use of technology to create smart thinkers. So too much computarized classes will leave the students of poor schools behind.(?)
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Katasha Blade
5/2/2012 09:23:56 am
The concept of getting students where they need to be as far as education in the 21st century education, especially with technology is definitely a must, yet the focus needs to be on all schools, not just the schools with more funding. The truth of the matter is that all student need to be innovators, creative thinkers, problem solvers and technology can indeed help them but unfortunately all school do not have the technology available so then how to we as a community prevent these students from having to play catch up? The bottom line results to funding. The government needs to fund all schools so that they are able to comprehend education through and with the help of technology.
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