He states three main reasons why we need a new framework for education in the 21st Century;
1. The world is changing: Kay states, "There has been a dramatic acceleration in global competition and collaboration over the past thirty years, spurred by information and communications technology"(Bellanca, & Brandt, 2010). Therefore, people who have the knowledge and skills to adjust to constant change will be successful.
2. U.S. schools and students have not adapted to the changing world: Like Richardson stated in his article, "Navigating Social Networks as a Learning Tool", "although schools may continue to fundamentally look and act as they have for more than one hundred years, the way individuals learn has already been forever changed" (Richardson, 2010). In other words, today's students are not motivated or inspired to learn in a school system that has not changed with the times.
3. The United States has no clear sense of purpose or direction for securing our future economic competitiveness: We are losing ground to other Nations in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Furthermore, Kay states that the Framework for 21st Century Learning includes some new themes that may not be well-known. These themes are "global awareness, financial, economic, business, and entrepreneurial literacy", and such skills as "creativity, innovation, flexibility and adaptability, leadership and cross-cultural skills" (Bellanca, & Brandt, 2010).
Kay continues to state that this Framework for 21st Century Learning has strong support from many areas, and as of "October of 2009, fourteen states had committed to retooling their standards and assessments, curriculum and instruction, professional development, and learning environments to support 21st Century skills outcomes" (Bellanca, & Brandt, 2010).
Clearly, this is a very complex and compelling topic. Yes, it's important to teach the next generation of students how to survive in this ever changing technological world and have them be more independent in both their educational and personal lives.
2. U.S. schools and students have not adapted to the changing world: Like Richardson stated in his article, "Navigating Social Networks as a Learning Tool", "although schools may continue to fundamentally look and act as they have for more than one hundred years, the way individuals learn has already been forever changed" (Richardson, 2010). In other words, today's students are not motivated or inspired to learn in a school system that has not changed with the times.
3. The United States has no clear sense of purpose or direction for securing our future economic competitiveness: We are losing ground to other Nations in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Furthermore, Kay states that the Framework for 21st Century Learning includes some new themes that may not be well-known. These themes are "global awareness, financial, economic, business, and entrepreneurial literacy", and such skills as "creativity, innovation, flexibility and adaptability, leadership and cross-cultural skills" (Bellanca, & Brandt, 2010).
Kay continues to state that this Framework for 21st Century Learning has strong support from many areas, and as of "October of 2009, fourteen states had committed to retooling their standards and assessments, curriculum and instruction, professional development, and learning environments to support 21st Century skills outcomes" (Bellanca, & Brandt, 2010).
Clearly, this is a very complex and compelling topic. Yes, it's important to teach the next generation of students how to survive in this ever changing technological world and have them be more independent in both their educational and personal lives.
