21st Century Learning is...

At a recent meeting of our district's Instruction, Curriculum, and Student Services division we each defined 21st century learning. I transcribed their index card answers into a google doc and then copy and pasted it all into Wordle at http://www.wordle.net/. How would you answer, "21st Century Learning is...".

A Game Plan

Sean Wybrant nailed it in a response to my last post, "What can I do for you?" He sums our situation up well as he describes the disconnect between three well meaning camps, teachers, IT, and district leadership.  So, if you don't mind Sean, I 'm going to borrow your description of my new job, "...be the voice that can go between the teachers in the schools and the other groups in an effort to open up the talks that so desperately need to happen." Piece of cake.

So here are a few parts of the game plan and I need your feedback:

• Key distict leadership buyin - The wheels are already in motion to bring together a group of key district leaders to raise the first question: What is 21st century learning?
  
• From there we will grow the discussion and bring all stakeholders together to create a vision, mission and goals.
  
• Create and support existing online collaboration and professional learning for teachers 
• Assess our resources and create a clearinghouse website:
• What great collaboration sites already exist? Wikis, blogs, websites
• Who's teaching 21st century skills and how?
• What hardware and web 2.0 tools and resources are being used well for learning?
• Who are expert users with what tools?
• How can we best disseminate professional learning?
• How do we assess 21st century skills?

You get to help create the plan so please comment and pass this blog around.

Help me help you

Welcome back to a new school year. With renewed energy and focus I am privileged to offer my assistance and support to our teachers this year as the 21st Century Learning Coordinator. This grant funded position is for 09-10 but the impact will be lasting. My mission is to provide guidance, support, training and resources to drive the successful implementation of 21st century learning and skills for all D11 learners. Bottom line, I"m here to help you be even more successful in implementing quality 21st century learning.

In order to do this I need your help. My goals currently include: clarify the message of 21st century learning, coordinate and align various 21CL programs, support innovation through technology, coordinate and provide relevent PD as well as foster outside collaboration. I'm going to put my business plan draft on a google doc and ask for your input. I also need to quickly find out who really wants to play this year and get us all collaborating. We have ROCK STARS in this district and you all will be my guidance for creating a successful venture for all of D11.

I want to know what can I do for you?

Greg Wilborn
o 520.2969
c 648.33200
Twitter - gwilborn
Facebook - Greg Wilborn

Can you have 21st century learning without technology?

I've been in a debate with some colleagues recently regarding the realities and complexities of so called 21st century learning. 21CL is certainly an overused term these days and there seem to be more misunderstandings than agreement. Some say that the use of technology is the defining element of 21CL while others hold that tech literacy is but one of several 21st century skills that must be taught. This past year I've been on a quest to uncover promising classroom practices in 21st century learning and frankly, it has been a difficult journey. 

Most of the technology I observed was in use by the teacher to deliver direct instruction. Is this 21CL? On the other hand I observed students that were thinking critically, inventing, and collaborating with no technology in sight. Is this 21st century learning?

Going forward we desperately need to clarify our 21st century learning vision and goals, share our best examples, experiment, struggle, learn together, and collaborate while modeling 21st century skills for our students and colleagues. 

Just do it!

I've watched several great education bloggers over the past two years and participated in a limited way through a few comment posts here and there. I'm convinced of the importance and usefulness of this communication method for all learners but my own anxieties have kept me from starting a blog (I'm sure many of you can relate). Well, here I go, and I do so in order to set an example for my own colleagues and more importantly to start conversations around 21st century learning in my own school district and throughout the education universe (assuming of course that someone reads this and engages). Colorado Springs School District 11 is my vocational home and I'm humbled daily by the dedicated staff so diligently serving our community. My best hope is that I can somehow add value to the most important work in the world, facilitating the learning of our future generations.