The obvious answer to this question as an extension of an NYIT activity is to talk about the digital divide and the need for computer/technology skills. Although I feel these are indeed essential skills, I propose they are not the most important.
I work with middle school kids in the Bronx. I teach them math, video production and technology. I feel the most important thing I am teaching them is how to be responsible.
Students at this age often do not take responsiblity for themselves. They aim low and hit low. They often take their education for granted and have to sometimes be pushed, commanded or coerced into doing their work. Their work ethic and standards are sometimes so appallingly low, I worry how they will survive in the competitive workplace when they get older.
I try to not just teach the subject matter, but process as well. I also try to help them develop a sense of pride in the quality of their work. I want them to not be satisfied with simply getting the job done, but to try and do the best job possible. I try to hold the kids to high standards, and model many examples of superior, mediocre and inferior work.
Sometimes I think the best thing we can do for these kids to prepare them for the future world of work is to develop in them a sense of pride in their work. To set them up for success and show them how to do the job at a high quality while teaching them the meaning of committment and focus.
I think this is a greater challenge then teaching them technology at this point in time.
I agree stevenmudrick vary much. Althrough globalization is a term now circulating frequently in the field of education studies. There are still many basic things for students to learn, such as the attitude of life, being responsible for themselves, etc.
But to this discussion topic, my answer is the skill to know what do foreigners say. Young people should learn to judge foreigners' speech with the consideration of their culture.
Well its imperative that students be prepared by learning about how to use the latest kinds of technology. It is important that educators keep up with the latest technology tools and teach students how to use them,but at the same time the teaching of the basics should not be ignored. It is important that children get a well rounded education. Educators have to always remember that our responsibilities go way beyond the textbooks or ebooks. Our world has become a more complex place and we should never forget about teaching our children to becoming decent and caring human beings.
First we must make them understand they are a part of the world, not simply their known environs. They must be made to feel as though they are members of an ultra elite club. The Global Country club if you will. Once they feel a part of the bigger picture it will be easier to teach global concepts. With many never having truly left their environment, it makes this task a bit more difficult but not impossible. For example problem solving, a necessary skill of the 21st century, is a concept used by them daily on many levels. So is civic engagement. The catch is framing the idea(s) in such way as not to discourage or alienate them. Their complete involvement in these new concepts is paramount, as is their trust in us. They must believe in our ability to show them the way. With these ideals in place we should be able to discuss how to communicate and collaborate, think analytically and explore the world through different types of global literacy.
I feel as much as new technology is introduced and a new way of working emerges, there will always be doubts and barriers untill they become mainstream. So meanwhile untill technology becomes the "norm" we must still teach children the basic skills needed in todays workplace, some of which are definately still necessary to work with technology such as communication, collaboration. But I agree with Steven Mudrick, that children these days do not have the drive to work hard, and this is a necessity in todays work place nothing is given for free and i dont know if they will realise this untill it is too late!
Our students need to learn time management and responsibility. They are quick learners and if they are held accountable for their actions they will have the essential skills they need for the world of work.
Education in the America is often viewed by the students as unimportant. They feel an entitlement to everything and should be taught to value life itself. I believe that "To whom much is given much is expected" but our students think that they should take everything and give nothing in return.
As teachers we have to show them the world and teach them to find the opportunities for themselves rather than giving them the answers.
They are already Technologically advanced so we just have to help them find the tools to use this technology in a responsible way.
Let us teach them the old skills we as teenagers learned from our parents and they will be prepared.
I believe the best way to prepare students for the future world of employment is by, as teachers, increasing our understanding of the many different ways a child/ person can learn then effectively implementing these principles, helping the students learn to recognize and use the varied methods to the best of their abilities. They are truly children of the Technological Age. Navigating endless strands of information is inevitable. This requires they be able to view, properly interpret, organize and form opinions on their findings. Information will be found everywhere: the Internet, radio, cell phones, iPods, HDTV’s. The students will have to come to terms with how it is to be processed. They must know more of the world and how to communicate globally. An understanding of and collaboration with other cultures is vital. The understanding of their relationship to the world is just as important. We must teach children of their global responsibilities and how we are all connected. The sharing of information, music and ones culture with another nationally or internationally enriches the lives of both parties. The more connections of this type, the better our relation with other societies.
This question can best be answered using the national Educational technology Standards for Students. Technology teachers will use these standards as guidelines to help students learn important life skills.
Students' success in life is the whole community's responsibility. They have family and a life outside of the classroom where they have to abide by other modus operandi.
Therefore, in the classroom,we will do our job by following the standards which are entrusted to us by the educational system governing body.The said standards explicitly provide all the necessary tools for success in the future from the affective,cognitive and psycho-motor domain.
Interesting comments by everyone so far. I was born and raised in the Bronx, and have now worked in the 'real world' for nearly 30 years. My perspective is a little different. First, although try as we might as teachers to have a positive impact on the children, there must also be commitment by the children's parents as well. Are they being motivated at home to do their homework, and to stay with the 'right' crowd? Or does everything they do in school go out the window when they get home?
All of these technologies we have available are only tools, the same way using larger cranes to build larger buildings are tools. The underlying concepts are still the same. Can these children read? Can they add or subtract without a calculator? Are these new tools we have given them helpful, or have they become a crutch? I am referring to the calculator here, but there are other examples. Basic research is now easy with the internet, but has it become too easy? Whap happens if they can't find what they are looking for through Google...do they give up? Do they know what a library is?
I think with all the mandates by NY State has hamstrung teachers ability to teach, and has them teaching to test results. And, if the teacher is lucky, the kids only care about doing well, or passing, tests, and not focusing on what they are learning.
My feeling is, we need to get the kids out of the classroom as much as possible, and show them what is really happening in the workplace. Take them to the NY Stock Exchange trading floor, to Brookhaven National Lab. Or even in the classroom, give them some perspective/big picture as to what they are learning about. Hook them up with mentors....especially the types of kids Steven is referring to. These kids need to see that by applying themselves, there is hope and their hard work will be rewarded. No amount of technology can replace proper motivation.
We as teachers have a large task in front of us. We are reliable for the education of every student that enters into our classrooms. I feel the most important thing that we need to do as teachers is to try to find thing that interest our students. When facing educating our students we need to first find out thing that interest our students. If the students are not interested in learning the material there is no way that we will be able to get them to learn and retain the information we want them to know. The students today need to know how they will use the material they are learning they are much more aware of what they want to do and think they need to know. We as teachers have to create activities that are life like things that they might actually need to do in the real world. We as teacher also need to educate students on the technologies out there and the endless possibilities that technology brings. However we need to also make sure that the students understand the fundamentals and basics behind the actions that they are performing using the technologies. For example in my subject are math students have become way to reliant on the calculators that they do not know how to perform basic addition and subtraction with out is. We have to make sure that our society does not become to dependent on technology that they do not know basic material. However we also nee the help of the students parents and the student themselves to reach these goals. Other topics that students need to learn is how to work with others, not to use technology as an easy way out and a way to cheat and also how to communicate their ideas.
There are many things that should be taught to students that they need to pretty much survive in the real world. First of all in the technology based society that we live in today it is incredible important for students to learn how to use these new technologies. Computers are essential for students they are used for everyform of almost anyjob they will ever do. I also believe that a student should also have the basic knowledge to do the simplist little things like changing a tire, reading a ruler, and other simple little things that will help them be able to get through life. It is suprising how many of these simple tasks that seniors in high school can't do. Also there are some students that will not go on to college and that will go into the trades so I feel the vocational aspect of technology should not be removed from the classroom.
The best way to prepare our students is throuigh education and awareness of the ever changing worid we all live in. Being able to communicate in our global economy will involve understanding the new literacys as well as the latest technologies available for communicating. Our students need to acquire these skills that will allow them to have a competitive edge.
The answer is straight forward. You must be aware of upcoming technology, and the teachers must be able to manage all the new changes to use it as a helpful tool for the class management. One of the good example is power point of microsoft. The work could be shown neatly with an ease and this can save the time efficiently rather than writing everything on the board.
I will prepare my students for the future world of work by keep on demanding consistency and accuracy in tasks that are assigned. People need to be taught that the world does not revolve around them and that there are more to life that their small world, we need to consider the world at large.
Preparing students for the future world of work and determining what skills they will need is a difficult thing to do. While it is the case that students today are much more tech savvy than ever before and it is clear that whatever form the skill set needed to succeed in the job place will take it will have a heavy emphasis on technology. However, the only certain way to prepare them is to give them some foundation skills that often have no relationship to technology.
As others have said here we must teach them responsibility and a good work ethic. We must teach them to take pride in their work and to always do the best job possible. If we try to teach specific skills and or technologies we would be wasting our time and doing a disservice to our kids. Technology changes and disappears so quickly that any skills they adopt today would be inapplicable in the not so distant future. We need to make children comfortable with technology and remove all fear of new and emerging technologies. We need to teach them how to learn and how to think critically and I think most importantly how to apply previous knowledge to new circumstances. Those will all be the skills that employers will find most attractive.
16 comments:
The obvious answer to this question as an extension of an NYIT activity is to talk about the digital divide and the need for computer/technology skills. Although I feel these are indeed essential skills, I propose they are not the most important.
I work with middle school kids in the Bronx. I teach them math, video production and technology. I feel the most important thing I am teaching them is how to be responsible.
Students at this age often do not take responsiblity for themselves. They aim low and hit low. They often take their education for granted and have to sometimes be pushed, commanded or coerced into doing their work. Their work ethic and standards are sometimes so appallingly low, I worry how they will survive in the competitive workplace when they get older.
I try to not just teach the subject matter, but process as well. I also try to help them develop a sense of pride in the quality of their work. I want them to not be satisfied with simply getting the job done, but to try and do the best job possible. I try to hold the kids to high standards, and model many examples of superior, mediocre and inferior work.
Sometimes I think the best thing we can do for these kids to prepare them for the future world of work is to develop in them a sense of pride in their work. To set them up for success and show them how to do the job at a high quality while teaching them the meaning of committment and focus.
I think this is a greater challenge then teaching them technology at this point in time.
I agree stevenmudrick vary much. Althrough globalization is a term now circulating frequently in the field of education studies. There are still many basic things for students to learn, such as the attitude of life, being responsible for themselves, etc.
But to this discussion topic, my answer is the skill to know what do foreigners say. Young people should learn to judge foreigners' speech with the consideration of their culture.
Well its imperative that students be prepared by learning about how to use the latest kinds of technology. It is important that educators keep up with the latest technology tools and teach students how to use them,but at the same time the teaching of the basics should not be ignored. It is important that children get a well rounded education. Educators have to always remember that our responsibilities go way beyond the textbooks or ebooks. Our world has become a more complex place and we should never forget about teaching our children to becoming decent and caring human beings.
First we must make them understand they are a part of the world, not simply their known environs. They must be made to feel as though they are members of an ultra elite club. The Global Country club if you will. Once they feel a part of the bigger picture it will be easier to teach global concepts. With many never having truly left their environment, it makes this task a bit more difficult but not impossible. For example problem solving, a necessary skill of the 21st century, is a concept used by them daily on many levels. So is civic engagement. The catch is framing the idea(s) in such way as not to discourage or alienate them. Their complete involvement in these new concepts is paramount, as is their trust in us. They must believe in our ability to show them the way. With these ideals in place we should be able to discuss how to communicate and collaborate, think analytically and explore the world through different types of global literacy.
I feel as much as new technology is introduced and a new way of working emerges, there will always be doubts and barriers untill they become mainstream. So meanwhile untill technology becomes the "norm" we must still teach children the basic skills needed in todays workplace, some of which are definately still necessary to work with technology such as communication, collaboration. But I agree with Steven Mudrick, that children these days do not have the drive to work hard, and this is a necessity in todays work place nothing is given for free and i dont know if they will realise this untill it is too late!
Our students need to learn time management and responsibility. They are quick learners and if they are held accountable for their actions they will have the essential skills they need for the world of work.
Education in the America is often viewed by the students as unimportant. They feel an entitlement to everything and should be taught to value life itself. I believe that "To whom much is given much is expected" but our students think that they should take everything and give nothing in return.
As teachers we have to show them the world and teach them to find the opportunities for themselves rather than giving them the answers.
They are already Technologically advanced so we just have to help them find the tools to use this technology in a responsible way.
Let us teach them the old skills we as teenagers learned from our parents and they will be prepared.
I believe the best way to prepare students for the future world of employment is by, as teachers, increasing our understanding of the many different ways a child/ person can learn then effectively implementing these principles, helping the students learn to recognize and use the varied methods to the best of their abilities. They are truly children of the Technological Age. Navigating endless strands of information is inevitable. This requires they be able to view, properly interpret, organize and form opinions on their findings. Information will be found everywhere: the Internet, radio, cell phones, iPods, HDTV’s. The students will have to come to terms with how it is to be processed. They must know more of the world and how to communicate globally. An understanding of and collaboration with other cultures is vital. The understanding of their relationship to the world is just as important. We must teach children of their global responsibilities and how we are all connected. The sharing of information, music and ones culture with another nationally or internationally enriches the lives of both parties. The more connections of this type, the better our relation with other societies.
This question can best be answered using the national Educational technology Standards for Students. Technology teachers will use these standards as guidelines to help students learn important life skills.
Students' success in life is the whole community's responsibility. They have family and a life outside of the classroom where they have to abide by other modus operandi.
Therefore, in the classroom,we will do our job by following the standards which are entrusted to us by the educational system governing body.The said standards explicitly provide all the necessary tools for success in the future from the affective,cognitive and psycho-motor domain.
http://cnets.iste.org/students/s_stands.html
Interesting comments by everyone so far. I was born and raised in the Bronx, and have now worked in the 'real world' for nearly 30 years. My perspective is a little different. First, although try as we might as teachers to have a positive impact on the children, there must also be commitment by the children's parents as well. Are they being motivated at home to do their homework, and to stay with the 'right' crowd? Or does everything they do in school go out the window when they get home?
All of these technologies we have available are only tools, the same way using larger cranes to build larger buildings are tools. The underlying concepts are still the same. Can these children read? Can they add or subtract without a calculator? Are these new tools we have given them helpful, or have they become a crutch? I am referring to the calculator here, but there are other examples. Basic research is now easy with the internet, but has it become too easy? Whap happens if they can't find what they are looking for through Google...do they give up? Do they know what a library is?
I think with all the mandates by NY State has hamstrung teachers ability to teach, and has them teaching to test results. And, if the teacher is lucky, the kids only care about doing well, or passing, tests, and not focusing on what they are learning.
My feeling is, we need to get the kids out of the classroom as much as possible, and show them what is really happening in the workplace. Take them to the NY Stock Exchange trading floor, to Brookhaven National Lab. Or even in the classroom, give them some perspective/big picture as to what they are learning about. Hook them up with mentors....especially the types of kids Steven is referring to. These kids need to see that by applying themselves, there is hope and their hard work will be rewarded. No amount of technology can replace proper motivation.
We as teachers have a large task in front of us. We are reliable for the education of every student that enters into our classrooms. I feel the most important thing that we need to do as teachers is to try to find thing that interest our students.
When facing educating our students we need to first find out thing that interest our students. If the students are not interested in learning the material there is no way that we will be able to get them to learn and retain the information we want them to know. The students today need to know how they will use the material they are learning they are much more aware of what they want to do and think they need to know. We as teachers have to create activities that are life like things that they might actually need to do in the real world.
We as teacher also need to educate students on the technologies out there and the endless possibilities that technology brings. However we need to also make sure that the students understand the fundamentals and basics behind the actions that they are performing using the technologies. For example in my subject are math students have become way to reliant on the calculators that they do not know how to perform basic addition and subtraction with out is. We have to make sure that our society does not become to dependent on technology that they do not know basic material. However we also nee the help of the students parents and the student themselves to reach these goals. Other topics that students need to learn is how to work with others, not to use technology as an easy way out and a way to cheat and also how to communicate their ideas.
There are many things that should be taught to students that they need to pretty much survive in the real world. First of all in the technology based society that we live in today it is incredible important for students to learn how to use these new technologies. Computers are essential for students they are used for everyform of almost anyjob they will ever do. I also believe that a student should also have the basic knowledge to do the simplist little things like changing a tire, reading a ruler, and other simple little things that will help them be able to get through life. It is suprising how many of these simple tasks that seniors in high school can't do.
Also there are some students that will not go on to college and that will go into the trades so I feel the vocational aspect of technology should not be removed from the classroom.
The best way to prepare our students is throuigh education and awareness of the ever changing worid we all live in. Being able to communicate in our global economy will involve understanding the new literacys as well as the latest technologies available for communicating. Our students need to acquire these skills that will allow them to have a competitive edge.
The answer is straight forward. You must be aware of upcoming technology, and the teachers must be able to manage all the new changes to use it as a helpful tool for the class management. One of the good example is power point of microsoft. The work could be shown neatly with an ease and this can save the time efficiently rather than writing everything on the board.
I will prepare my students for the future world of work by keep on demanding consistency and accuracy in tasks that are assigned. People need to be taught that the world does not revolve around them and that there are more to life that their small world, we need to consider the world at large.
Preparing students for the future world of work and determining what skills they will need is a difficult thing to do. While it is the case that students today are much more tech savvy than ever before and it is clear that whatever form the skill set needed to succeed in the job place will take it will have a heavy emphasis on technology. However, the only certain way to prepare them is to give them some foundation skills that often have no relationship to technology.
As others have said here we must teach them responsibility and a good work ethic. We must teach them to take pride in their work and to always do the best job possible. If we try to teach specific skills and or technologies we would be wasting our time and doing a disservice to our kids. Technology changes and disappears so quickly that any skills they adopt today would be inapplicable in the not so distant future. We need to make children comfortable with technology and remove all fear of new and emerging technologies. We need to teach them how to learn and how to think critically and I think most importantly how to apply previous knowledge to new circumstances. Those will all be the skills that employers will find most attractive.
Post a Comment