21 st Century Skills Problem Based Learning By: Susan Walker Vikki Ruff Brian Hefner Amy Gregory

What are 21 st Century Skills?

21 st Century Skills in the Workplace: Jobs then and now THEN Production occupations: farmers & foresters Production occupations: farmers & foresters Manufacturing Manufacturing Construction Construction Mining Mining NOW Computer software engineers Database administrators Service occupations Management, business, and financial occupations

Forces of Change Technology: communication devices, measuring devices, fiber optics Technology: communication devices, measuring devices, fiber optics Capital: investment in information technology, information equipment and software Capital: investment in information technology, information equipment and software Immigration: In 1900, 448,572 individuals passed through immigration control, and for the decade as a whole (1900-9) there were 8.2 million. Immigration: In 1900, 448,572 individuals passed through immigration control, and for the decade as a whole (1900-9) there were 8.2 million. Education: In 1900, less than 14 percent of all Americans graduated from high school. By 1999, that figure had increased to 83 percent Education: In 1900, less than 14 percent of all Americans graduated from high school. By 1999, that figure had increased to 83 percent

THE HISTORY OF TECHNOLOGY IN SOIL TESTING

Are Schools implementing to teach 21 st Century Skills? 2 school mentions assessing the infrastructure and staff development needs in the area of technology, but does not address curriculum integration. 2 school mentions assessing the infrastructure and staff development needs in the area of technology, but does not address curriculum integration. 2 schools make no mention of the skills. 2 schools make no mention of the skills. On a State level, NC requires an 8 th -grade computer proficiency test. On a State level, NC requires an 8 th -grade computer proficiency test.

Professional Development about 21 st Century skills 129 total Staff Development offerings in a particular LEA ( ) 129 total Staff Development offerings in a particular LEA ( ) 12% (15 classes) related directly to the 21 st Century Skills 12% (15 classes) related directly to the 21 st Century Skills The 15 classes were offered only to selected groups. The 15 classes were offered only to selected groups. Staff Development funds in our schools were allocated to Reading, Writing, and Math training only. Staff Development funds in our schools were allocated to Reading, Writing, and Math training only.

Our Conclusion of Analysis Even though the 21 st Century Skills plan was put in place in April 2005, schools have done little to integrate it into current school vision statements or improvement plans. Even though the 21 st Century Skills plan was put in place in April 2005, schools have done little to integrate it into current school vision statements or improvement plans. Technology has taken a back seat to NCLB, AYP, and ABC’s. Technology has taken a back seat to NCLB, AYP, and ABC’s. Our schools are failing to prepare our students for the Global society in which we live. Our schools are failing to prepare our students for the Global society in which we live.

Our Integration Grade 8 Reading Competency Goal 1 states: The learner will use language to express individual perspectives through analysis of personal, social, cultural and historical issues.

Our Integration: Reading Competency Goal 1 Digital-Age Literacy: Web pen pal groups from other countries. Digital-Age Literacy: Web pen pal groups from other countries. Inventive Thinking: Small group 21 st Century Problem-Based Inquiry Project Inventive Thinking: Small group 21 st Century Problem-Based Inquiry Project Effective Communication: Use technology to present the Inventive Thinking project. Effective Communication: Use technology to present the Inventive Thinking project. High Productivity: Comprehending instructions and creating a product (i.e. robot) through the use of technology. High Productivity: Comprehending instructions and creating a product (i.e. robot) through the use of technology.

Our Plan Set up a Professional Learning Community or PBL in the form of a study group. Set up a Professional Learning Community or PBL in the form of a study group. Teams will work together for one year on a voyage of discovery into the 21st Century Skills and their integration into the curriculum to better prepare our students for future endeavors. Teams will work together for one year on a voyage of discovery into the 21st Century Skills and their integration into the curriculum to better prepare our students for future endeavors. The small groups will go through a series of monthly professional sessions to incorporate the content into the classroom. The small groups will go through a series of monthly professional sessions to incorporate the content into the classroom. Permanent subs will be hired to allow each team time every month to meet to accomplish the tasks set out in the sessions and to share with colleagues in planning and implementing the goals. Permanent subs will be hired to allow each team time every month to meet to accomplish the tasks set out in the sessions and to share with colleagues in planning and implementing the goals. Each group will be designed by the administration based on skill level of the staff in regards to handling and working with technological tools. Each group will consist of members from all levels of competency regarding technology. Each group will be designed by the administration based on skill level of the staff in regards to handling and working with technological tools. Each group will consist of members from all levels of competency regarding technology.

Phase 1: Introduction SessionContent Time Frame ResourcesAssignment 1 Guest Speaker: Teacher from another school who actively uses the 21 st Century Skills in his or her daily lessons. A time to view a video tape of the guest. 45 minutes VCR and TV Guest Speaker Handout defining 21 st Century Skills Group discussion and review of the video tape. Teams will look and critique strategies and tools used by guest speaker. 2 Visitation: The staff will visit three different businesses to see the 21 st Century Skills at work in the job market (Work Day) ½ day Bus As a group connect the guest speakers presentation with the business visited. Make a list of those connections for entire staff. 3 Group Sharing: Each group will present their connections between the classroom and the job market for students. 45 minutes Chart Paper Computer Projection Screen As a group think of the areas of technology and curriculum you are less confident in and make a list to share.

Phase 2: Investigation SessionContent Time Frame ResourcesAssignment 4 Group Sharing: Fears and needs. Assignment of areas of study concerning the 21 st Century skills 45 minutes 21 st Century Articles Research and read articles on your area of the 21 st Century Skills. As a group think of areas of the curriculum that these skills can be integrated. 5 Review Group Findings and share specifics of the small group areas. View Video Tapes of teachers who currently use 21 st Century Skills in their teaching. 45 Minutes VCRTV Select Lessons and as a group discuss and decide on how to incorporate one area of the 21 st century skills into that lesson. List resources needed to accomplish task! 6 Groups will share lessons and resources needed for completion. 45 minutes Video cameras Critique Sheets Obtain needed staff resources Invite students to your small group meetings and ask them their knowledge of the 21 st Century skills and what they feel they need to learn. Compile a list to share with staff.

Phase 3:Integration SessionContent Time Frame ResourcesAssignment 7 Each group will share and discuss findings from student conversations. 45 minutes Chart Paper ComputerProjector As a group individual lesson plans will be developed for their class that integrates one area of the 21 st Century skills and plan out the needed resources to complete the task. 8 Staff members will share their feelings and success of their lesson planning. A time for staff members to share one on one with other member’s to help generate ideas for planning. 45 Minutes Strategies to incorporate Relevance in Instruction Each group member will deliver a lesson to his or her students using one area or multiple areas of the 21 st Century Skills. Each staff member will video tape the lesson and will critique their and other members lessons for improvement. 9 Review findings of Group and Individual Video Critiques 45 minutes Video cameras TV, VCRs Critique Sheets Small groups will list and discuss the future of the 21 st Century Skills to share at the next staff meeting.

Phase 4: Introspection SessionContent Time Frame ResourcesAssignment 10 Staff will share feelings of year long study and the group will decide on the future direction and implementation of the 21 st century skills into the school culture. The staff will add goals regarding the 21 st century skills into the SIP! 45 minutes Computer Chart Paper ProjectorScreen Team members will develop their IGP goals for the following SY based on their learning from these sessions. Each member will share and reflect with other members of their group. Each staff member will schedule a time with the school principal to discuss the program and their IGP goals for the next school year and possible staff development to attend over the summer.

Turn on your Monitor Go to this URL Go to this URL Click on Route 21 Click on Route 21 Using your 21 st Century skills, learn more about the topic. Using your 21 st Century skills, learn more about the topic.

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