Reflective Essay: The Learning To Change

The concept of teaching our students and future leaders of America the skills necessary for success is a burden that we as educators must take seriously. It is vital for us to provide the tools and opportunities for our students that will help mold and guide them to have the skills, attributes, and knowledge that is needed for the changing times. The 21st century “super skills” that our students need in order to be successful are: communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity. Communication involves the ability to share thoughts, questions, ideas, and ultimately find solutions. Collaboration includes the ability to work together while utilizing each other’s talents, expertise, and intelligence. Critical thinking is the …show more content…
Within the video, the concept of what jobs are calling for was discussed and how that has changed. Jobs are not calling for “vending machine” answers that are either right or wrong. With the amount of assessment and testing that students are constantly being asked to do, I think we need to reevaluate if we are helping students practice the 21st century skills that they need. In order for students to be successful in future careers, they need to have artistic ability, be able to synthesize things, work within context, and work in a team format. These skills are lacking right now and schools are not providing students with the opportunities needed to build upon the 21st century skills. Technology is something that is a huge part of students’ lives and is all around us, “technology is not a choice.” As educators we must embrace it and utilize it whenever possible. School is one avenue where we can provide students with more opportunities to connect with other students around the world and with resources. Another advantage of technology is that educators can connect with each other, which can allow us to swap ideas and concepts to provide our students with more opportunities.(