Unit+3+Sync+Point+Discussion

With an [|eye to the future], business and industry leaders have brought us important news repeatedly. The degree to which we (the general public) have been paying attention is questionable at best. When it comes to preparing students for life in the ever-accelerating world of the 21st Century, it seems we’ve been dragging our feet. No sense of impending doom is called for, but we must attend to the daunting challenges posed by the [|21st Century’s “flat world” of creativity and global integration]. The 21st Century is not some vague, conceptual phenomenon to which we are //virtually// attached – we’re in it and there’s less than 92% of it left. As we hear story after story of diminishing resources and the imperative of pro-active problem solving, the sands continue to fall through the hourglass. The good news is that this challenge to our very way- and standard-of-life is not a “wild west” environment, but one for which rules have already been defined. If you’re not familiar with [|the “rules” for 21st Century success], that might be a good place to start. A “care-less” or contemptuous attitude toward preparation of our students for life in this collaborative and globally-competitive world is a recipe for catastrophe. The economic environment alone will demand that they have creative, innovative skills facilitated by digital technologies just to keep up. In fact, a large number of the apathetic are looking backward, hoping that a nostalgic reliance on prepping for standardized tests, rote learning, and good, old-fashioned pencil and paper assignments will continue to be the order of the day, America will easily slide into a comfortable slot somewhere in the realm of what we now call the Third World with virtually no effort (or resistance) required. Good enough, isn’t. Once-a-year, standardized tests as a short term, political quick fix for parents who want proof that their children are learning something in school are grossly unfair to students. Serious preparation of young people to be innovative and use technology efficiently, effectively, and ethically requires that a number of global issues must be explored and addressed. The 21st Century demands more than rote learning. We must begin–//right now//–changing the way teaching happens. Things often get messy when new technologies come into play and folks aren’t sufficiently prepared to change how they live and do business. But, failure to change course is a sure-fire recipe for failure. Take a look at [|the state of the world]and current issues related to [|global inequality]for starters. If you don’t see evidence of a need for change, don’t. It’s okay, because others will do it for you.

Related sites: 1. [|The Learn & Earn Schools Project] 2. [|CFF, The Bard School and the like]