Thinking and Learning in the 21st Century

Change is constantly happening around us, for better or sometimes for worse change will happen. Unfortunately, school systems and they way things have been done are very difficult to change. I am unsure of the numerous factors for the resistance to change. In Micigan you have the MEAP and MME exam which does judge and impose sanctions on schools for poor performance. These exams do not appear to measure 21st Century Skills but more rote (non-creative) types of things.

Critical thinking, literacy, good work ethic, good communication skills have been important and will continue to be important skills to possess. It certainly seems that we need to also teach and model collaboration skills, team work, and cooperation to name a few of the skills needed for the 21st Century.

Who will be left behind? The socially akward and isolative student? The cognitively impaired or learning disabled (especially in the area of reading and comprehension?). Thankfully, schools and libraries have made access to computers easier for the econimically disadvantaged to access technology, the internet, etc.

I wish this technology was available when I was in school in the 1970's because we could have learned so much more (and quicker, too!!). College (undergrad and grad school) in the early to mid-1980's was just a continuation of high school. The teacher was the "expert", they imparted their knowledge, we read the textbook, wrote papers, and we were the dependent and passive learners.

Being allowed to sit and observe students in various classroom settings, I have not observed many differences in the role of the teacher and student compared to when I was in school. There is a certain comfort level and familiarity in that!! Maybe there is more truth than we know in the saying "Familiarity breeds contemp".