| Education is a field filled with buzzwords, from RTI | | | | indefinable qualities. Just write down what people |
| to collaborative development to differentiated | | | | are doing all day in a way that is helpful." |
| instruction to student-centered learning and | | | | Later on, he asks about their scores from the |
| beyond. The latest trend in this time of "change" | | | | day. |
| is 21st century skills. | | | | Pam: "I think they're even. At various times, you |
| 21st century skills encapsulate all that teachers | | | | gave Jim 10 points, Dwight a gold star and |
| have been begging for in the post-NCLB era: | | | | Stanley a thumbs up. I'm don't really know how to |
| creativity, problem-solving and learning beyond | | | | compare those units." |
| fact recitation. Like most ed buzz words, this one | | | | Michael: "Check if there's a conversion chart in the |
| emanates from a genuine, intelligent approach to | | | | notebook." |
| preparing kids for their future. This approach | | | | Turns out, there isn't a conversion chart. |
| would free teachers from the stifling bonds of | | | | And so goes the problem with generically testing |
| NCLB and it just makes sense. | | | | for "the kinds of research, scientific investigation, |
| After pleas from teachers, Obama has picked up | | | | and problem solving that our children will need to |
| the 21st century skills torch and is blazing it | | | | compete in a 21st-century knowledge economy." |
| through policy, tackling the easiest aspect first. | | | | (Obama) |
| Technology in the classroom is a commonsense | | | | Regardless of how difficult and complex it will be |
| factor to 21st century learning since ours is the | | | | to make this shift, I agree with policy analyst |
| internet age. Obama plans to fund computer and | | | | Elena Silva: |
| broadband access in schools nationwide. But | | | | Whether or not the trendy label of "21st-century |
| tackling tech is the easy part. Implementing it on | | | | skills" lasts, says Elena Silva, a senior policy analyst |
| a nationwide policy level will be harder than | | | | at the Education Sector in Washington, what's |
| installing computers. How do you give a | | | | important is the evolving research on how people |
| standardized test on creativity? This murkiness | | | | learn. Teachers were long taught to cover |
| led one Washington Post writer calls 21st century | | | | content first and wait for children to get older |
| skills "a pipe dream whose literature should be | | | | before having them apply it, she says, but now |
| tossed in the trash." | | | | research shows that "people learn best by learning |
| Personally, I'm reminded of an episode from The | | | | content at the same time they are acquiring [and |
| Office. The inept boss, Michael, asks the | | | | applying] new skills. |
| receptionist, Pam, to write down "everyone's | | | | |