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January 2009 |
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Is the 21st century skills movement a fad?
That’s the question we asked Edvantia’s experienced education research and professional development experts. Their candid answers might surprise you:
No. It's a reality.
The world is changing on all fronts. The children sitting in our classrooms have never experienced a world that’s not connected by the Internet and CNN. When they graduate, they will be interviewed by employers who are competing for business internationally. Or by college admissions officers who are interviewing top-notch students from around the globe. Preparing students to compete and succeed in this environment is every educator’s responsibility.
— Dr. Doris Redfield, President and CEO, Edvantia (former chief of research, evaluation, and assessment for the Virginia Department of Education)
It’s not a fad. But for some, it could be a tough sell.
Let’s face it. Budgets are tight and stress levels are high. In these times, it’s human nature to cling to what’s familiar. Incorporating 21st century skills into teaching and learning will stretch many educators beyond our comfort zones. The potential payoffs for both teachers and students may be significant. But, a lot can happen between the “idea” and “implementation” stages. So the challenge may come in finding the courage to overcome uncertainty enough to invest in the professional development and collective effort necessary to transform education.
— Dr. Steven Moats, Director, Tennessee Exemplary Educators Program at Edvantia (former Kentucky Distinguished Educator)
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Edvantia is an affiliate provider of 21st century professional development.
Edvantia can help your state or district deliver services that integrate academic content and essential skills
To learn more, visit our Web site or contact us at info@edvantia.org.
Edvantia Supports the West Virginia 21st Century Learning Program
West Virginia joined the Partnership for 21st Century Skills early on. Edvantia has provided evaluation services and assisted the state in developing its professional development program and incorporating the skills into state standards. Read a chronicle of West Virginia’s efforts so far.
Is there a link between 21st century skills and student achievement?
Read Edvantia’s article in District Administration magazine.
Quality Questioning: Research-Based Practice to Engage Every Learner
Teachers love this book! Published jointly by Corwin Press and Edvantia, it helps educators understand why and how to prompt higher-level thinking through research-based questioning techniques. Here’s where to order a copy.
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If we don’t get it right, we run the risk of turning an opportunity into another "passing fad."
Skills such as creative problem solving and information literacy should not be “add-ons” to the basic curriculum. They should be integral to teaching and learning across the content areas—and embedded in state standards and assessments.
— John Putnam, Senior R&D Specialist, Assessment Alignment (former assessment coordinator, West Virginia Department of Education)
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
There’s really nothing “new” about 21st century skills. After all, for our society to get where it is today, it took centuries of teamwork, creative thinking, mastery of emerging technologies, and so forth. What we should be asking is why we ever separated such skills from academic pursuits in the first place. I see the movement not as something “new,” but as a restoration of something vital that has somehow gotten lost.
— Dr. Sharon Harsh, Director, Appalachia Regional Comprehensive Center at Edvantia (former district assistant superintendent of schools in West Virginia and Fulbright scholar)
The term “21st century skills” is frequently misunderstood.
I design online professional development courses and assist states and districts with technology integration. So I’m often asked to provide input on 21st century skills because I’m “the tech guy.” But I would prefer that people come to me about 21st century skills because I’m the instructional design guy or simply because I’m a teacher. Why? Because the term 21st century skills is more about appropriate and effective instruction than it is about technology. It’s about learning how to learn, how to work with other people, how to use knowledge to create new knowledge, and how to continue to learn so that you can use new technologies as they become available. As districts plan professional development for educators, they need to keep this in mind.
— Dr. John Ross, Senior R&D Specialist, Instructional Technology (coauthor of the textbook Technology Implementation for Meaningful Use: A Standards-Based Approach)
The National Academies to Host Workshop on Science Education and 21st Century Skills
Edvantia board member Ken Kay, president of the Partnership on 21st Century Skills, will participate in a panel discussion during the workshop in Washington, DC, February 5-6. Learn more.
Specialized education solutions and services for rural schools and districts
Ideas for creating stronger home-school connections
A federally funded regional comprehensive center supporting states and districts
A TV show about education issues. Watch clips on our Web site.
More Information and Resources
To learn about alignment studies, research and evaluation, professional development and technical assistance, grants for educators, and more, visit www.edvantia.org.
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