1. What are the learning outcomes established by the Partnership for 21st Century Learning? (Include information about who/what the Partnership itself is.)

The Partnership for 21^st Century Learning (P21) is an organization that advocates for student readiness. P21 provides tools and resources for the education system in the U.S. to help keep up, as the U.S. competes in a global economy. The student outcomes that P21 describes are:

Core Subjects and 21^st Century Themes

Learning and Innovation Themes

creativity and innovation

critical thinking and problem solving

communication and collaboration
Information, Media and Technology Skills

Information Literacy

Media Literacy

ICT Literacy

Life and Career Skills

Resources

http://www.p21.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=254&Itemid=119

2. What is Core Knowledge and how does it apply to education theory?

Core Knowledge is the strong foundation of knowledge that every child needs to know, and has the right to know. Knowledge builds on knowledge, the more a person knows, the more they are able to learn.

Resources

http://www.coreknowledge.org/

3. How does current education practice apply both to 21st Century Learning Skills and Core Knowledge?

While core knowledge is crucial, I believe the education system is moving away from just utilizing core knowledge. We are looking to balance our education system.

Resources

http://www.p21.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=254&Itemid=119

http://www.coreknowledge.org/

4. Do we need more or less emphasis of either Core Knowledge or 21st Century Learning Skills? How would we go about it?

I believe we need more emphasis on both. However the need for our students to have strong core knowledge is vitall. I also strongly believe that 21st Century Learning skills are important, especially for the US education system. We just can't compete with China, and certain other countries when it comes to core knowledge. I think it is beneficial to ouudents to have a healthy balance of both.

5. How does the US compare to other like-minded countries in our education system? What are our strengths and/or weakness?

The United States international education rankings have fallen to “average”. These rankings were released by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This report compares the skills and knowledge of 15 year olds in 70 countries around the world. The United States was ranked 14^th out of 34 OECD countries for reading skills, 17^th for science, and a below average 25^th for math. Math is clearly our weakness.

Resources

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/07/us-falls-in-world-education-rankings_n_793185.html

6. How does motivation tie in to student success in the classroom? Give 3 examples of strategies to motivate today's students.

Many factors affect a student’s ability to learn. Some students need more motivation then others, and it is up to the teacher to maintain the interest of all their students.

Giving frequent and positive feedback to students helps their confidence in themselves that they can do well. Research has shown that good teaching practices and a well organized curriculum taught by an enthusiastic teacher who shows interest in their students, helps to motivate students, and leads to higher student success.

1. Connect learning to real life
1. “Budget project”
2. Incentives for doing well on standardized tests
1. Off campus passes
3. Set high expectations
1. Set clear goals and expectations for students, and do everything you can to help them succeed at those goals. The success will motivate students to be proud, and continue to do well.

Resources

http://honolulu.hawaii.edu/intranet/committees/FacDevCom/guidebk/teachtip/motiv.htm

http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=7377

7. What are the NETS for students?

National Education Technical Standards
Standards that identify higher order thinking skills that are crucial for students to learn to be effective and successful in our global economy. NETS will help students to live, work, and contribute in their social communities.

1. Demonstrate creativity and innovation
2. Communicate and collaborate
3. Conduct research and use information
4. Think critically, solve problems, and make decisions
5. Use technology effectively and productively

Resources

http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-students.aspx

8. How does your current skill set compare to the NETS for teachers?

I believe that I know my subject matter very well; however there is always new stuff to learn. When teaching my students I try and show my students the passion I have for what I am teaching them. I always try and relate what we are doing to real life, and to things that interest my students. I am having my students to assignments using their active video games (wii systems). I have provided my students with websites to help them track and analyze their food intake as well as their physical activity. I am starting to have my classes create blogs for extra credit. I am trying to incorporate as much technology as I can into my class. My students seem to be more engaged and interested when I do include some type of technology into the lesson.

Resources

http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-teachers.aspx

9. What does research say about using Interactive Whiteboards? What are the pros and cons? Would you want to have one in your classroom?

Pros

Ecological way to teach

Peaks kids interests, keeps students focused

Students respond well to it

Accommodates different learning styles

Can be adapted for different age groups

Accommodates students with limited motor skills

Interactive

User friendly

Lessons are more organized

Cons

Teacher Centered

Not ecological to produce or use

Can get tedious if used all the time, no research showing if students will lose interest over a period of time

No research on student’s long term learning with the board

Setup, too many wires, too much time

Not Mac friendly

Problems with frequent recalibrations of the system

If bumped the accuracy falters and is inaccurate

Shadow interference

Located in the front of the room

I personally would not have one in my classroom. That is because I teach P.E. and do not have a classroom. However, I do have access to one in our Education Center.

Resources

http://www.qualitytime-esl.com/spip.php?article184

http://wik.ed.uiuc.edu/index.php/Electronic_Whiteboards

Educational Games

Tennis Games

Puzzle Maker

Voki

Go Green

Blogging for School

It would be amazing to have my P.E. students blog a few times a week about the physical activity they are doing to stay fit. My students can talk about nutrition, and what exercises or activities they prefer to do for a workout. This would be similar to a workout/nutrition journal. This would be something my students would have to do at home as homework since we do not have access to computers in P.E.