To successfully face rigorous higher education coursework, career challenges and a globally competitive workforce, U.S. schools must align classroom environments with real world environments…
-Partnership for the 21st Century
With this one statement, you can see the importance of having this type of site. Many of our schools have been striving to prepare our students for the work world, but lack of resources knowledge and understanding has limited our progress. After spending time on the website Partnership for the 21st Century, I found it full of helpful information. They break down the students’ outcomes including the 4Cs skills – critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity – core subjects, technology and life skills. I was very impressed with the resources for educators. They had great tools to develop your own schools and classrooms 21st century skills. I also liked the information for parents and the community. Each area helped make the goals and importance of these skills understandable and clear. I found it interesting that my state wasn’t on the list of states participating. I will recommend this site to others.
Hi Kristine,
ReplyDeleteI really was not familiar with how a high school music teacher, like you, would approach 21st century skills within your music program. I wanted to learn more. I get frustrated when I hear teachers in my school will saying things like…”I’m just a music teacher” or “Don’t look at me…I just teach Gym”. I think all teachers, no matter what subject area, have the responsibility to teach these fundamental skills to best prepare all students for their futures. Do you agree? I believe that special teachers can also have a great impact on instilling 21st century skills into our students, especially in the areas of teamwork, collaboration, leadership, creativity, and innovative thinking.
I don’t know if you found this link on The Partnership for 21st Century Skills website, but I saw it and thought it would be very useful for you.
Check out: http://www.p21.org/storage/documents/P21_arts_map_final.pdf
This “Skills Map” was created especially for arts teachers. It presents a few of the many ways that children can acquire 21st century learning skills and dispositions through arts study. The examples provided in this document reveal that the arts are “among society’s most compelling and effective paths for developing 21st Century Skills in our students” (Partnership for 21st Century Skills, n.d.).
I also did some additional research and found this article written from the perspective of a music teacher. This site, “The National Association for Music Education”, discusses how creativity and innovation, critical thinking and problem solving, and communication and collaboration are described as essential skills for our future workforce and proficiency in these areas is a direct outcome of what is taught in music and other special subjects. I found this to be interesting, and hopefully helpful for you as well!
http://www.menc.org/v/higher_education_admin/twenty-first-century-skills-and-the-music-teacher/
Best wishes to you,
Cristina
"They break down the students’ outcomes including the 4Cs skills – critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity"
ReplyDeleteThese are all real life applicable skills that students need in order to survive in a real life setting. As a teacher, which one to you think is most important? I always find it interesting to see what other teachers believe will get their students the furthest. The varing philosophies teachers use in their classroom help to make a well-rounded student.
Kristine,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your thoughts. How do you see these 21st century skills being applied in your school, and, specifically in music? I have not been blessed AT ALL with any musical ability, but would be interested to hear how these skills might enhance music education for a student.
Thanks for your post.
Chad