Skip to main content

What is most important?

I was recently reminded of something one of our principals used to say. When teachers were stressed out about all the many things they are required to do, he would always bring it back to the students by asking what is the most important thing your students need from you today?

As we look at the world that our students will graduate into, what are the most important things for us to focus on to help them be successful?
Is it reading, writing, and arithmetic?
Well no one can argue that reading, written communication, and math are still important. But in what context? Do we use math in the same way we used to? How is the math we use impacted by programming, AI, ... How is reading impacted by the Internet, media, bias, lateral reading? How is writing changed by online collaborative tools, multimedia, blogging, etc...?

There are so many ways that our basic skills have changed over the past 30 years.Helping our students access, curate, analyze, summarize, communicate, problem solve, reason,

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

On the Cusp of Something Big!

I can feel it. There's a change. The conversations are different. People are excited. Rooms are transforming. On a Friday before school starts, I have now spent two weeks talking to teachers, teaching classes, visiting classrooms. This year feels different. Of course, the new hardware helps. Projectors, SmartBoards, soundfields mean that the technology is in the classrooms now. Teachers sound excited. I have been so impressed by the turn out at the summer trainings. In my conversations, I hear teachers asking great questions and wanting to try new things. The stereotype of teachers who won't change, who are stuck in the dark ages. That isn't true here. These teachers are doing great things already. I can't wait for the kids to arrive. This will be a whole new world for them. All day, everyday, connected to the world, interactive classrooms, multisensory lessons. This is going to be great!!

Teaching for Tomorrow Part 1

A group of teachers are reading Teaching for Tomorrow by Ted McCain as a summer book group. As we read we will be sharing (I hope!) our ideas about the book. If you are not part of our summer book group, feel free to join in the discussion. All ideas are welcome! If you have any thoughts about Section 1: What Skills Will Students Need for the 21st Century?, please leave a comment on this post. Hopefully this will lead to a discussion on this topic. I look forward to hearing what you have to say.