Workshop Two

Looking at this week's reading for my Technology in Education Class the topic of 21st Century Skills was the main topic. How to prepare our students to succeed in the 21st century using many skills that were not taught in previous classrooms. The main skills focus on problem solving, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, technology literate, flexible, innovative, globally competent, and financially literate. Personally I feel well prepared to help my students with these skills. My school corporation is very into jumping on board with programs and skills such as these that they feel the students need to be successful in the future. Our school district started at the high school level when they instituted New Tech high and then they have just spread the skills from their. With the support and training that they provide, I feel like I am not only prepared but encouraged to teach these skills to my students.

Just like every other subject I teach, I hope my students leave my class with the skills that they need to succeed. I know that some of my students who are immersed in 21st century skills even at home will be more likely to be able to apply the skills they learn, but with the programs we are using and the constant modeling and use of the skills in my classroom I feel I am preparing them to the best of my ability.

I feel like my strengths help my students acquire and learn positive problem solving skills, critical thinking skills, communication, and collaboration skills. However, teaching 4Th graders there are so skills that I do not know how relevant they are yet. It is hard to teach both Indiana history along with being globally competent and they are bit too young to be worrying about financial literacy.

All I can do is my best like in every other thing I teach my students. Modeling is always the best form of teaching especially in the elementary classroom. Making sure I am showing my thinking in terms of critical thinking and problem solving skills, along with letting my class collaborate with me on important topics and communicating with them is my best form of teaching.