Today I visited a site called Partnership for 21st Century Skills to learn more about these “21st century skills” that school technology folks constantly refer to.  I was not that impressed with the site itself as it’s pretty bland.  Another issue that stands out to me is that is heavily packed with theory, but short on application.  I was surprised that the parties involved in this initiative are the big players in education, the business world, and the community in general.  Regardless of my opinion that it’s a boring site, it is important that teachers, principals, and school districts have a central location from which to learn more about these skills as they will continue to be in demand in the “real world.”

After our first inservice regarding SIOP, I took some notes on how the technology you already have in your classrooms impacts some of the SIOP components.  The key component that stood out to me is the intent, by the teacher, to focus on language usage in every assignment.  The following image sums up the 4 types of language, and the level of complexity each one has.  Please share one idea you gleaned from the inservice that will be helpful to our 5th grade teachers.

Today at a state meeting with tech folks in education (at the state level in Utah), the topic of internet blocks by districts came up and we discussed the various pros and cons of such blocks.  So, here are the 2 sides of the debate.  Please choose one side and make your case:)  Please be respectful and constructive in your responses, especially if you respond to another person’s post:)

School districts should completely open up the internet (e.g. facebook, youtube, blogger, etc.)

OR

School districts should continue blocking specific sites (e.g. facebook, youtube, blogger, etc.)

As we start the school year, I wanted to remind everyone about Grappling’s Technology and Learning Spectrum.  It’s important that we continue to move to the right of spectrum where we “do new things with new technology.”