21st Century Learning Skills

The Partnership for 21st Century Skills is a site devoted to creating an awareness of the the skills that our students need today to be successful in our rapidly changing world. 

The link below leads you to a definition of those skills.  Check it out!

P21 Learning Skills

How would you feel if insead of reading from the text or doing a worksheet, your child is instead holding a video conference on Skype or is engaged in an online exchange through Moodle. These students are joined remotely with other students from their class and are learning 21st Century communications skills.

While it seems like something students will be doing in a rather distant future, this either is or soon will be the reality for students in Tri-Creek Schools. 

Both Skype and Moodle are open source software programs that Tri-Creek teachers are learning and beginning to practice with their students.  Classroom walkthroughs last week yielded any number of Lowell Middle School teachers who are catching the vision of 21st Century learning skills for their students.

The goals are student engagment through technology resulting in students who have strong academic skills and the necessary "soft skills" to compete in today's global market. 

Preparation for 21st Century Workforce and College Readiness

We constantly hear about demands for "change" in education without understanding the master plan behind it.  In fact, the change is coming so rapidly that we sometimes wonder if there is a master plan from our federal and state governments. 

Minds are hard at work at Lowell High School to continue to lay the foundation of our local master plan.  It began with the freshman and sophomore academies, which are well underway, and the vision that is evolving for juniors and seniors is focused on a number of curricular and skills-based components that will result in graduates who are both workforce and college ready. 

Lowell High School has implemented two "late starts" this year to do the work that is critical for high school reform that produces 21st Century Learners.  One of the critical initiatives is what we call curriculum mapping. 

The process aligns content and Indiana standards to ensure that students get a very similar educational experience from each course, regardless of the teacher.  In addition, curriculum mapping eliminates content redundancy between courses allowing more time for teaching the seven critical skills for success in the global economy.  (Please see posting that features these skills.)

Reform is complex, challenging, and requires patience and commitment.  Kudos to the Lowell High School teachers, administration, and support staff for their progress and commitment to education reform that benefits our students.  Thanks to each of you who may be a parent or community member for your trust and patience as they strive get the job done! 

The Learning Connection

About a year ago Tri-Creek Technology Director Bob Hopper collaborated with a group of technology directors from across the state to evaluate the beta version of what is now The Indiana Department of Education Learning Connection. 

The project was launched last spring, and teachers are now discovering the many advantages of this tool which provides data from ISTEP and the Growth Model.  In addition the site features a number of "communities" that collaborate on various topics that provide rich information about teaching strategies. 

The IDOE also provides webinars and podcasts on pertinent topics at least once a week. 

To date there are 54 Tri-Creek participants with 25 of those being from Oak Hill Elementary.  Teachers, sign in to access this great resource!

Apangea Math Debuts at Lowell Middle School

Lowell Middle School launched the use of Apangea Math in four computer labs on Tuesday, September 14.  The program ensures that all students are challenged and support in mathematics education.

Apangea provides one-student-to-one-teacher differentiated math instruction through a unique integration of proprietary tutoring technology and live, online certified teachers. As a web-based solution, Apangea Math can be accessed from any computer with an internet connection – ensuring students can learn math anytime, anywhere. 

Study Finds Quality Leadership Is Crucial to Student Achievement

A new study of education leadership by researchers from the University of Minnesota and University of Toronto and commissioned by the Wallace Foundation concludes that “the effects of school leadership directly influence school and classroom conditions” and that quality educational leadership is “central in addressing and facilitating the work of teaching and learning.”

The report finds very strong correlations between student and community demographics and effective educational leadership. “Both principal and teacher leadership that is focused on improving student learning decreases as poverty and diversity increase, and teachers in schools located in larger metropolitan areas and districts report significantly less leadership, even when we control for school level, size, and urban location,” the report states.

Overall, the study concludes that effective school leadership at all levels depends on the integration of three main concepts: holding high expectations, fostering a sense of efficacy in leaders, and developing engagement with stakeholders throughout organizations. To access the full report, go to http://www.wallacefoundation.org/.

Curriculum Leader from District Administration, Volume 1, Issue 14 | September 15, 2010

The Nifty Fifty on LearniT-TeachiT

The Nifty Fifty is a new collection of lesson plans created by teachers participating  in the 21st Century e-Teacher program. These truly innovative, and fun to use, project-based lesson plans showcase best practices for technology integration while inspiring students towards their academic success.  Check it out!