21st Century Education

On our first day of Pinnacle, we have done a lot in an effort to lay the foundation for the rest. We happen to feel that education relies the mastery of 21st Century Skills as they exist beyond the catchphrase of the last decade. So the questions begs itself, if we know that children today are different we were while in school (nearly regardless of your age), why hasn't the educational machine changed to meet them?

 Through twitter, we collect blog posts, websites and resources as we read them. Eric Sheninger, a prominent principal in NJ wrote this blog post about his own observations after attending a session held by Gary Stager. He shares what he feels has slowed education's transition to the new century along with Father Time.

The blog CTEduonline ennumerates the characteristics they feel are needed of the 21st century teacher to meet the needs of students. What do you think? What skills do we need to develop and foster in our peers that are fundamental to reaching students "nowadays?" What has prevented us from automatically transitioning our practice as we find our audience differs from the past? Please leave a comment with your opinion.

 It isn't all doom and gloom either. There are pockets of teaching occuring all over the country be it in isolated classrooms or progressive districts. Lisa Dabbs shared this post on her blog encouraging teachers to decide to "be remarkable" starting now rather than examining the increments to reach mastery of the new world.