Blog 2

I enjoyed watching Ken Kay's discussion on what every student needs to know.  Companies want workers that are thinkers and problem solvers.  It's not only important that they know the material for work, but they also need to be able to work together to solve problems.  They need to us as teachers to help them develop these skills.
It's not only important that children know the basic skills like reading, writing, math, social studies, science..... but they need to be able to apply it to real life.  Why is it important that they know this and how will it help them in the future.  I will always remember the time I took my youngest son grocery shopping with me. He hates math.  And I mean he really hates math!  We were looking at cans of tomatoes.  We could get two small or one large can.  When we did the math, we found it was cheaper to get the two small cans.  I will always remember the shock he had when he realized he just used math and why it was important for him in daily life to know how to multiply and divide.  I think that up until that time he just thought he would never really use math in his daily life.
 Jay Mathews wrote in his article The Latest Doomed Pedagogical Fad: 21first century skills about rush of implementing a new teaching fad.
"Every aspect of our education system -- preK-12, postsecondary and adult education, after-school and youth development, workforce development and training, and teacher preparation programs -- must be aligned to prepare citizens with the 21st century skills they need to compete." This is the all-at-once syndrome, a common failing of reform movements. They say changes must be made all at once, or else.

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Every few years teachers are introduced to new and improved teaching fads.  Whole language was one that came out a few years ago. We were told how wonderful it was and how it would reach so many children.  The problem is nothing beats plain old good teaching.  Teachers that engage their students in learning and motivate them to do better. 
Technology is here to stay.  It is everywhere, in the grocery stores, hospitals, librarys - EVERYWHERE.  We need to use that to our advantage.  I know a lot of teachers at my school who are very reluctant to use technology. My suggestion is that you try a little at a time.  If you keep trying new things, adding technology a little at a time, then you will be moving forward.  Moving Forward slowly is a whole lot better than being stuck in the past.