Essay On 21st Century Skills

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Teachers can promote leadership in the classroom by, “taking responsibility for the progress of all students to ensure that they graduate from high school, are globally competitive for work and postsecondary education, and are prepared for life in the 21st century.” (NC Teacher Evaluation Process Document, 2009). Consequently, leading in the classroom is more than just planning lessons and presenting information. It involves making the students leaders in their own academic development by equipping them with the 21st century skills they will need to be successful. When asked what was meant by 21st century skills, Hammond-Darling stated, “…it means skills that, although they are not entirely new, are of increasingly great importance in the …show more content…

Marzano and Heflebower (2012) cite a quote in their book, Teaching and Accessing 21st Century Skills, that states, “The commission’s 1991 report, What Work Requires of Schools, contrasted the old requirements for success in America, defined as “a strong back, the willingness to work, an)d a high school diploma, with what students need in the new American workplace, defined as “a well-developed mind, a passion to learn, and the ability to put knowledge to work.” The report criticized schools, saying that “despite their best efforts, most schools have not changed fast enough or moved far enough” to prepare students for the demands of the new workplace.” The way children were instructed in years past with focus on the three R’s (i.e., Reading, wRiting, and aRithmetic), are no longer sufficient to prepare students for the interactive, technological age in which they now live. With this in mind, I believe it is necessary for schools to begin focusing more on strategies and best practices that will address the shift that is taking place in our global …show more content…

These best practices are:
1) Inquiry-based learning: Focuses on “questioning, critical thinking, and problem solving” (Johnson & Lamb, 2000, 2007); the process involves presenting an opened question; engaging in research to investigate possible answers; presenting and discussing findings; and reflecting on learning (EdTech Team, 2010-2015)
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3) Problem-based learning: Focuses on the process of investigation and acquisition of knowledge to solve real world problems; this process involves presenting students with a real life problem with multiple solutions; organizing students into teams; listing knowns and unknowns; researching the unknowns; testing theories and hypotheses; analyzing data; reaching conclusions; and communicating results (EdTech Team,

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