Putnam County Forum Answers

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February 01, 2006

Here are the answers for the Putnam County Voices from the Field.  

1. What knowledge and skills does a West Virginia graduate need to succeed in the 21st century?  

Room 1  

1. Advanced literacy skills including: Core curriculum Computer skills Communication skills 2. Personal responsibility including: Social responsibility Self-assessment Thinking skills World awareness 3. Creativity Working in a team Creating and adaptive thinking Understand and operate in systems  

Room 2  

1. Critical thinking skills 2. Students need to be able to word together effectively – team work. 3. Students need to have perseverance and initiative.  

Room 3  

1. Communication skills (oral and written). 2. Strong work ethic with an entrepreneur attitude. 3. Broad perspective of the world.  

Room 4  

1. Technical skills / technology 2. Basic reading and math through secondary education 3. Other cultures, including foreign language instruction at an earlier age  

Room 5  

1. Communication skills: Written Oral Social 2. Motivated and self-directed: strong work ethic 3. Critical thinking and problem solving: technology based  

Room 6  

1. Critical thinking skills (problem solving, application to real-world situations) 2. Inter-relationship (inter-personal) and teaming skills 3. Communication skills (functioning, awareness in terms of role as a global citizen) and informational skills (the aptitude for knowing the “where and how” of accessing information and, then, its application  

Room 7  

1. Communication: students must be able to express opinions when participating on a team. 2. Utilize technology: students must understand the limits of time when assessing and analyzing digital information 3. Global context: understand the complex global context  

Room 8  

1. Sense of global awareness: education, economics, employment – with whom we are competing 2. Integrated (Pk-Adult) learning community – technical literacy, inquiring based learning, broad-based writing skills 3. Work ethic: commitment, flexible – ever changing work environment, self assessment  

Room 9  

1. Technology skills. Develop technology to be something of value. Technology – tech savy. Integrate technology into everyday life. Communication 2. Life skills, adaptability, moving from acquisition to application of knowledge 3. Content knowledge, second language, economic literacy, problem solving  

Room 10  

1. ECONOMICS – In the past, West Virginia has had a tendency to only consider regional economy. Coal in the southern state, chemicals in the Kanawha Valley, students must expand their technology skills beyond the one or two economic drivers – to broaden their skills in preparation of the next thing to drive the economy. 2. We really do not know what to teach Alexa Engle (the 5th grader) to prepare for the 7-10 jobs she may have during her lifetime. So we must teach how to use technology to find the information and skills she will need to solve the problem of what the next job will be. 3. Students will need to communicate in many ways. Reading – Writing – Numeracy will still be fundamental.  

Room 12  

With the strong academic basis we provided… 1. Adaptability including • Diversity of skills • Tolerance • Willingness to change • Problem-solving • Global awareness 2. Ability to communicate (spoken and written) • Speak • Listen • Writing • Process 3. Personal work habits and accountability  

 

 

2. What do you as a teacher need to educate a 21st century learner? (i.e. professional development, assessments, instructional strategies, technology tools)  

 

Room 1  

1. Strengthen attendance and discipline policies (get the students to school) 2. Professional development during school/contract time 3. New tools for classrooms and schools to understand new kinds of learners, increase parent involvement  

 

Room 2  

1. Relevant content specific professional development that is site based and focused on use of software and technology 2. Access to more technology with sufficient staff technology support 3. Focused curriculum with high standards  

Room 3  

1. 21st century calendars Time for vertical teams Time to create apply/lessons Time to collaborate 2. Training / implement new skills 3. Technology tools Up to date Functioning  

Room 4  

1. Technology: More computers / laptops Technical equipment Revised technology standards - state and county collaboration - student access to technology 2. Staff development on 21st century skills – time for implementation 3. Vertical teaming / collaboration – elementary, secondary, post-secondary  

Room 5  

1. Local professional development to do: Professional learning communities Model teaching Vertical teaming 2. Time in the instructional day to do all of that… 3. Changes in personnel law to allow building principal to have a say in hiring and removal of staff  

Room 6  

1. Relevant professional development opportunities that mirror the needs of 21se century – small chunks, time to practice, review what is / is not working / change / and without teachers scared of (reprisal) test scores lowering. (Remove the fear – 21st century skills should promote learning / skills) job shadow 2. Resources: For professional development Technology – to meet needs of 21st century needs Extended classes / school calendar to allow for professional development 3. Teachers need to know what is expected in the 21st century – then teachers need to be expected to apply the “new development” in the classroom – if not then ways are needed to address resistance to change (like business world)  

Room 7  

1. Teachers need to be led by a common direction with time provided to remain consistent and be supported. 2. Teachers need the skills and tools to manage students using technology 3. Teachers need improved interpersonal and self-directed skills  

Room 8  

1. Infrastructure to supply technology 2. Relevant sustained staff development 3. Business, higher ed, parent partnerships to enhance the learning communities  

Room 9  

1. Resources. Qualified time / money / technology 2. Sustained, meaniningful, job embedded professional development, mentoring programs, invitational learning 3. Assessments that measure 21st century skills  

Room 10  

1. We need help bringing parents to realize – the importance of their child of the realities of the challenges faced by 21st century learners. The world has changed – it’s flat. 2. Continue to develop communications to help policy makers and business leaders become partners in bringing our learners to 21st century standards 3. We need time to allow educators time to step back, take a breath and come to an understanding of the MASSIVE changes we currently have on the table – NCLB – WV Achieves – Five Year Strategic Plans – CSOs – Technology, etc.  

Room 12  

1. Professional development Sustained Embedded in class / school Research-based 2. Infrastructure Webpages Community labs (access) Smartboard 3. Flexibility in state mandates Formula Calendar  

 

 

 

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