21st Century Skills Update

As some of you know, we've instituted an intentional plan for integrating key 21st century skills within the core curriculum at my school this year. To review, here is the list of skills we have identified:

1. The ability to use technology in God-pleasing ways for ministry and personal productivity, and in keeping with good digital citizenship practices

2. The ability to analyze information and sources critically for accuracy and relevancy

3. The ability to communicate effectively through the spoken word

4. The ability to communicate effectively through the written word

5. The ability to collaborate effectively with others -- even with those whom you may not personally know

6. The ability to be self-motivated to be a life-long learner

7. The ability to create, innovate, and problem solve independently and collaboratively

8. The ability to act and think globally

I must say that I'm encouraged by how receptive teachers, parents, and students have been to this process. There is a buzz in the building concerning these steps that is growing. In addition, other Lutheran schools are starting to become interested in our progress, so we have the opportunity to support other Lutheran schools.

We hope to have a wiki ready to be viewed by January. This wiki will share the specific activities used to address 21st century skills in each of our K-8 classrooms. Hopefully this will be a model which will promote discussion and ideas from a variety of different schools.

This is not to say that we have not had glitches in the implementation of this plan. It certainly is a work in progress. Still, there are already a couple things which I have learned from this process:

• It is difficult for teachers not to become overwhelmed when first presenting these ideas. However, once teachers see that addressing these specific skills is something that is already being done in their classroom and that this process is accessible to them, there is excitement about the prospects.
• Teachers need to feel 100% supported in this process. They need to feel supported with technical expertise, and they need to feel like if a new lesson or project fails that they are free to learn from that experience without professional repercussions.
• I'm proud of our teachers in that they are starting to understand that there is a larger mission beyond our school -- that while the education of our students and the ministry to our families comes first, we also have the chance to make a difference with other teachers and schools by providing an example of what is possible within a school.

I'll continue to update you on our progress from time to time, especially when the 21st century skills matrix and wiki are ready for viewing.