#21stcenturycompetencies technologyskills

[technologicalice]

21st Century Competencies

1. What is the rationale for identifying 21st century competencies?

With the exponential development of new technologies, it is the responsibility of educators to provide students with the skills they need to address new challenges now and in the future (Ontario Ministry of Education, 2015). Educational approaches to core disciplines need to be reconsidered in order to provide students with the knowledge and skills that children require to reach their full potential, inside and outside of academia.  

2. What is the difference between skills and competencies? 

According to the Ontario Ministry of Education (2015), "a skill is seen as the ability to perform tasks and solve problems" (p. 9). A competency, on the other hand, represents a much broader notion that is not confined to cognitive functions, but entails specific skills, functional aspects, interpersonal attributes, and ethical values (Ontario Ministry of Education, 2015). In this sense, "a competency is seen as the ability to apply learning outcomes adequately in a defined context (education, work, personal or professional development) (Ontario Ministry of Education, 2015, p. 9).  

3. What is the background on 21st century competencies? Why are they important? 

Ultimately, 21st century competencies are crucial in creating students who are prepared to function and excel in today's modern society (Ontario Ministry of Education, 2015). Technological, economic, political, and social changes in recent years have led to increased focus on interpersonal and intrapersonal competencies, and the field of education must adjust its approaches to meet these demands and to ensure future generations can thrive inside and outside of school, as adults, and as contributing members of society.  

4. Provide a couple of examples that resonate with you, of board activities and initiatives related to technology-enabled teaching and learning.

According to the Ontario Ministry of Education (2015), "[d]istrict school boards are offering “Character Education” programs, based on the 2008 ministry document Finding Common Ground: Character Development in Ontario Schools, K-12" (p. 28). I feel that character development is incredibly important in schools, particularly in the elementary years, as this is experience and education that many children do not receive at home, but these are skills that are vital to getting by as an adult. Also, I think that character education could be fused effectively with technological approaches in many ways in order to make it more engaging and enjoyable for all students. Additionally, the Ontario Ministry of Education (2015) claims that: 

District school boards are implementing strategies to enhance the safety and inclusiveness of schools, guided by documents such as Supporting Minds: An Educator’s Guide to Promoting Students’ Mental Health and Well-Being (Ontario Ministry of Education, 2013), and the Accepting Schools Act, which emphasizes educators’ responsibility to help students become productive, contributing, and constructive citizens in the diverse society of Ontario. (p. 28) 

Safety and inclusiveness of all students should be paramount for any educator, and the more time spent advocating for these aspects, the better. Again, these are factors that I feel could be easily and effectively addressed using technological approaches.  

5. Read Page 34-35. Is there a connection to SAMR? Discuss the chart on page 36 – how might you address these in your next practicum (assuming you have access to technology and your AT agrees)?

This section of the document can be related to SAMR as it describes the numerous ways that technology can be beneficial in the context of education, but it also outlines how there is no one specific way for technology to be successfully implemented (Ontario Ministry of Education, 2015). In this sense, I think it is important to not fear using technology in the classroom, as a preservice teacher, and to instead realize that there isn't necessarily a wrong way to be be approaching it. For example, blogs, online discussions, interactive games, and presentation tools are all great ways to integrate technology into the classroom in an effort to build 21st century competencies (Ontario Ministry for Education, 2015, p. 36). We need to understand that there are so many different ways we can be integrating technology successfully into the classroom, and even the smallest and seemingly insignificant methods can be incredibly useful for developing students' 21st century competencies.

Mikelloydtech, 2011

References:

Mikelloydtech. (2011). Skills, knowledge and competencies - what, why and how? - CLWB.org. Retrieved from https://clwb.org/2011/04/01/skills-knowledge-and-competencies-what-why-and-how/

Ontario Ministry of Education. (2015). 21st century competencies: Foundation document for discussion. Toronto, ON: Queen's Printer for Ontario.