The Education Jigsaw #2

This is a working draft of part of my #DPLA Belief Statement - any and all feedback is welcome.

This follows directly on from Part One of this series of posts.

Work in the Now

The world has changed dramatically since I was in high school just eleven years ago, in no small part thanks to the rapid increase in personal computer ownership and the development of the internet as a tool for information management, communication medium and creative outlet. Technology will continue to change the world so long as we maintain our ability to imagine new possibilities and in acknowledging that fact we must remember Arthur C. Clarke’s wisdom that “We need to educate our children for their future, not our past...”

Learning opportunities must offer learners to participate in the moment of NOW – they must consider the knowledge and skills relevant to working in a world constantly shifting and adjusting. In developing learning opportunities for learners we must then consider and clarify just what knowledge and skills are important to 21st century learners?

The evolution of technology in the storage, management and accessibility of multiple and wildly varied knowledge, experiences and understandings has seen the individual, isolated nature of constructivism changed. Knowledge is no longer reliant on individual ability to store and recall prior experiences, individuals can now use technology to store and access their own prior experiences at a later date and can be further enhanced by the availability of others’ experiences.

Stephen Covey in his book, “The Leader in Me” (p.30) , also published a list of the “Top 10 Qualities and Skills Employers Seek”. These include:

• Communication Skills (verbal and written)
• Honesty/Integrity
• Teamwork Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Self-motivation/Initiative
• Strong Work Ethic
• Analytical Skills
• Technology Skills
• Organisational Skills
• Creative Minds

By acknowledging that the world of today’s learners is very different from the one most of the “learning facilitators” teaching experienced I am able to look for ways to embed NOW into the learning opportunities I offer learners. I actively seek ways to embed the development and mastery of key 21st Century Skills in the formal curriculum allowing learners the opportunity to prepare themselves for engagement in an ever changing global community.

There are some quotes and "bits" I am still sourcing to include here, the 21st Century Skills identified by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills included... I'll add the next bit (be themselves) tomorrow (hopefully). Please feel free to help a girl out and share your thoughts and ideas on ways to improve what I've got so far.