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Let's Blog--Class 1

Academy 39 Participants: Choose one of the three 21st century learning skills found on this site and post a brief reaction to how the skill connects to your field of instruction. (End of Class 1)

Learning and Innovation Skills

posted Oct 6, 2009, 3:52 PM by Jill Gontovnick

When I clicked on Learning and Innovation, I found three "c's" that applied perfectly to my fifth grade students: creative work, critical thinking, and communication. As middle school students are at an age where they thirst for responsibility and independence, we are constantly looking to provide opportunity for growth in these areas. Through differentiation, it is important to give students different outlets for expressing themselves, interacting with others, and developing their own voice. Technology can help me as an educator by bringing another tool to the classroom that enables these things to happen.

How this skill relates to my job.

posted Oct 6, 2009, 3:52 PM by gelderll@wilmette39.org

Respect cultural differences and work effectively with people from a range of social and cultural backgrounds

The above skill is a HUGE part of my job.  We try to start in elementary school to introduce students to different cultures through the learning of Spanish.  Not only are they learning a language, they are learning how to communicate with an entirely different culture. 

October 6 Class Response - Learning and Innovation Skills

posted Oct 6, 2009, 3:51 PM by evansj@wilmette39.org

Learning and Innovation Skills are certainly relevant (one hopes!) in any classroom. Encouraging and guiding students to creative processes and products, as well as higher level thinking are critical components of an engaging classroom. My initial thoughts while reading the description were the direct connections to the writing process, differentiated activities and projects, and working with students on identifying the different levels of thinking.

Route 21: A Direction for Learning!

posted Oct 6, 2009, 3:51 PM by horowitm@wilmette39.org   [ updated Oct 6, 2009, 3:57 PM ]

I'm going to be different (for a change) and say that all three of these areas apply to my role in the district.  As a building leader, I am concerned with the development of the whole child.  The Life and Career Skills strand,  the Learning and Innovation strand, and the Information, Media, and Technology strand are equally critical for 21st century learners.  How's that for a politically correct answer?!!!

Life and Career Skills

posted Oct 6, 2009, 3:50 PM by trumank@wilmette39.org

My role as a 2nd grade teacher of 21st century students is to encourage them to be responsible to others.  My students need to take in mind the interests of the larger community.  This community is first and foremost the classroom. As my 21st century students venture in the world, they need to understand that their interactions with each other affect a larger community - in ways that they may not initially see or intend.



Learning and Innovation Skills

posted Oct 6, 2009, 3:50 PM by ostinid@wilmette39.org

Learning and Innovation Skills are a very important part of my job as an LBS.  My particular population has difficulty clearly communicating ideas to one another, a critical skill in today's world.  Students (and people) need to be able to effectively communicate for a variety of purposes, be it to inform, instruct, motivate or persuade.  Students need to be able to manipulate a wealth of technologies, so my job is to teach them not only how to use those technologies but also the necessary communication tools.

Learning and Innovation Skills

posted Oct 6, 2009, 3:50 PM by frosta@wilmette39.org

In my role as a social worker in District 39, I work with the functional academics programs.  A key component of my job is to connect parents and families with resources in the community.  Accessing resources for individuals with special needs can be a complex process.  In linking families with services, I am addressing the area of effective communication with others.

My Reaction

posted Oct 6, 2009, 3:49 PM by Katie Lee

As a DST, I work with many teachers to help their students become critical thinkers as well as an effective contributors to discussions.  During discussions, we try to encourage students to reason effectively as well as make judgments/decisions.  The following skills are relevant to any classroom.

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving

Reason Effectively

  • Use various types of reasoning (inductive, deductive, etc.) as appropriate to the situation

Make Judgments and Decisions

  • Effectively analyze and evaluate evidence, arguments, claims and beliefs
  • Analyze and evaluate major alternative points of view
  • Synthesize and make connections between information and arguments
  • Interpret information and draw conclusions based on the best analysis
  • Reflect critically on learning experiences and processes

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