problem2

Old version of question Making a 21st Century Lesson (in 2 parts) In place of our faculty meeting, in your PLC, please consider the following problem:**
 * Part I:

As teachers, we have watched changes going on in the past few years in our field of education as well as throughout the world. We have discussed terms such as intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, experienced the “No Child Left Behind” movement, standards-based education, Max teaching, professional learning communities, pyramids of intervention, and other pieces to an educational puzzle.

We have witnessed an explosion in technological advances (computers, smartboards, personal response systems, computer-compatible video technology, cell-phone technology, GPS, health-centered video games, etc.,) information-rich internet, and Web 2.0 (wikis, blogs, and other free productivity web-based applications.)

We have experienced the Thomas Friedman, “World is Flat” global society where playing fields have been leveled, everyone has access to the same information, jobs are being outsourced, and competition comes from all parts of the globe.

Our economy is in a downward trend where thousands of Americans are losing their jobs, money is getting tighter, and people are trying to find new jobs in areas in which they received no training.

Dr. Phil recently had a show about the “Boomerang Generation” of adult children who move back in with their parents because they have difficulty facing the real world. //**Almost 14 million adult "boomerang" children are living at home while many others who haven’t moved home still receive money from their parents to help them survive.**//

Everything is changing faster than ever before and there is so much more to know in today’s technological world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. What is the future of today’s student? What will happen to today’s freshman in high school when he or she graduates 4 years from now and finds that so many of the jobs and opportunities that were available when entering high school have changed or don’t exist when he or she graduates?

In Ohio Governor Strickland's State of the State address on Jan. 28, 2009, he directs all Ohio educators toward his goal of infusing 21st century skills into all public schools.
 * **Excerpts from the State of the State address:**

//First, what we teach and how we teach will prepare Ohioans to thrive in the 21st Century.//

//Students will, of course, continue to learn the timeless core subjects like math and science that are critical to their success. But we will also add new topics including global awareness and life skills to the curriculum. And we will use teaching methods that foster creativity and innovation, critical thinking and problem solving, communication and collaboration, media literacy, leadership and productivity, cultural awareness, adaptability and accountability.//

//Under my plan, the Ohio Department of Education will set standards for Ohio schools requiring innovative teaching formats. Interdisciplinary methods, project-based learning, real world lessons, and service learning will be the norm.//

//The learning experience will be built around the individual student. Lessons will not end when a fact is memorized. Students will be given a chance to interact with information, to follow up on the subjects that fascinate, to think critically and creatively and to use what they’ve learned to draw conclusions.// ||

//** What needs to be done **//

//**What are these important things students need to know today to prepare them for their tomorrows?**// In this quickly changing global world, what are the skills and knowledge that these students will need that we must be ready now to help them achieve?


 * //In your PLC,//** **//through the eyes of a teacher, a parent, a student,//** **//a principal, a guidance counselor, a superintendent, or even the Governor, compose a vision of what 21st century education should look like.//**


 * What are the skills to be taught?
 * How do we incorporate them into our lessons?
 * What does the environment look like?
 * What tools do we use and how should we use them?
 * What do the educational experiences look like?
 * How do we measure the achievement of these skills? //(not just the content standards)//
 * How will we respond if we find students haven't learned those skills?
 * Envision one of your students after graduation who has learned the necessary skills. What does he or she look like?
 * 20 years from now one of your former students comes back to thank you. What would you hope he or she says?

"Have we put the pieces of the puzzle together, yet?"//**
 * //Through those same eyes answer the questions, “Are we there, yet?"
 * **//Has our school district already designed the best possible blend of educational experiences so that 21st century student achievement can take place?//**
 * **//If we have 21st century education, defend your answer.//**
 * **//If we have not reached 21st century education, what can be done to progress toward that vision?//**

Please put your vision onto this wikispace. Click PLC pages to find your wikipage.
** Making a 21st Century Lesson ** **Part II:**

//On our professional development day, Feb. 13, 2009, you will hear a little bit about a few 21st century activities that some teachers are using. We will have a "sandbox" in the media center where you will be able to "play" around with different 21st century tools.

In your PLC, you will design a unit aligning the 21st century skills with standards-based content in a 21st century context. The goal is://
 * To have a description of the unit entered in this Wikispace on your PLC page or pages.
 * //to have this unit taught before the end of the school year.//
 * //having content standards and 21st century skills assessed//
 * //Collaboration during the teaching of the unit//
 * //After teaching the unit, sharing your experiences//
 * //Discussion of ways to improve the unit.//