NETS for Students:

           After reading about the national educational technology standards it makes me wonder what teaching in the classroom will be like.  I feel like because I am so used to using technology and working in groups with students my age, I am going to have to realize, if I teach 3rd grade for instance, I will have to be very patient.  More patient than I have to be now with adults.  I want to focus on being creative.  Creating new works and making sure the students are original and true to themselves.  I want them to forget about mistakes and to realize there isn’t anything to fear.  I want them to make decisions, accept their decision, and not look back.  Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making are constantly brought back up in what we need the students to learn.  We are constantly reminded about it, but it is such a key factor and important ingredient, that the constant reminders are necessary. 

21st Century Skills, Education and Competitiveness

             This article touches upon the changes in jobs, businesses, and the economy as a whole.  Jobs are shifting from manufacturing to services.  Businesses are changing and workers are receiving increased amounts of responsibility.  Moreover new skills and new jobs are being demanded.   Furthermore, the gap between the lowest- and highest-performing students needs to decrease.  All in all, the quality of teaching needs to be much better.  I feel it all goes back to the basics and the fundamentals.  Being able to work in teams, communicate effectively, think critically, and problem solve.  This can begin to be taught at a very young age to help students increase academic achievement and personal responsibility in the future.  When it is time for the real world, as teachers we need to develop conscientious and productive members of society in this constantly changing economy.