21st Century Learners wk 4B

The processing of learning is ever changing as technology propels us into unknown territory. Each generation hopefully suceeds the prior. Standards that are set for students also need to change to keep challenging them to reach new heights. The article entitled, Standards for the 21st-Century Learner addressess the new standards that todays students should be able to meet.

The first criteria is to Inquire, think critically and gain knowledge. It consists of four sub-categories: skills, responsibilities, dispostiions in action and self-assessment strategies. Students use prior knowledge to reach new learning Use collaborative learning with other students to deepen their understanding of a topic of study and monitor their own information seeking processess to make sure they are effective and sites are reliable. Make sense of information they have gathered from various resources to support ideas to make their points clear.

The second us to draw conclusions, make informed decisions, apply knowledge to new situations, and create new knowledge. The same sub-categories exists. In this sectins students should be able to refine questions to be able to search for greater understanding.  Organize knowledge so that it is useful  and helpful. Have the ability to use divergent and convergent thinking, which would be using thinking outside the box and the ability to see ideas move together. Students also need to develop the ability to obtain directions for future investigations.

The third standard is to share knowledge and participate ethically and productively as members of our democratic society. The fourth and last standard is to pursue personal and aesthetic growth. This section focuses on personal growth in their reading, viewing and listening skills, as well as reading fluently while making connections. They should be able to respond and be creative in response to literature expressions in every genre. They should also be able to indentify their areas of interest.

Students today definately have higher and more advanced critical thinking skills to attain. Teachers need to stay aware of all changes and keep their students moving forward.