ETC Blog#4

21^st century skills have been addressed as a need for students most of the time and very limited mention for the skills teachers need to educate those students. There is a need to educate new teachers and reeducate veteran teachers on new skills required to learn. This need has been identified by many experts, Reynard, R. (2008) “New technology has challenged the way in which education is delivered, but newer technologies are now challenging how people process information and what they expect to be able to do with that information. “ http://thejournal.com/Articles/2008/04/24/21st-Century-Teaching-and-Learning-Part-1.aspx?Page=1 There are also organizations that advocate for the use of specific 21^st century skills in teaching like Partners for the 21^st Century Skills http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/

In order for students to correctly learn the skills needed for the 21st century education it is required that their educators be well versed in what these skills are and how to teach them using the latest technology possible. The future teacher force needs a new type of preparation in order to best serve the educational needs and meet the challenges presented by the constant changes of technology used by students. Since most digital natives are up to date with the latest hardware and software available, they also have at their disposition a large quantity of informal instruction. As educators taking part in teaching skills for the 21^st century we must do our best to help students learn to distinguish between good and bad sources of information to use while learning.

Jeffrey Gitomer in his video points out 12.5 points that could be so important to share with 11-12 grades because they are really close to start their education at a junior college or university and become independent adults. Ng, S. K. (2007) shows in her thesis a different path to lifelong learning and that is in a different culture setting (Singapore) one that mentions some factors that take place in life and influence the continuous education through life. http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdf?vid=10&hid=108&sid=81500e0f-2cd1-4d58-a867-dea8238fefc6%40sessionmgr11

My perspective on this is to create a practical routine to help current and future generations to have an organized indefinite learning through life. All life learning mentioned make reference to adults but it could have a variation in application and be dedicated to early years. The article presents a list of steps needed to learn trough life in an organized manner and can be taught since early school years. Some of these items on the list could be interpreted as common sense activities that could be learn at home like reading a book. http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/15-steps-to-cultivate-lifelong-learning.html