21ST CENTURY SKILLS IN TODAY’S CLASSROOM

By: Ashley Darr

Solution Fluency

Use creativity to problem solve The 4Ds:

Define the problem: ask probing questions Design a solution: after asking the

questions, strategize how they can be answered (plan)

Develop: carry out the work of the plan Debrief: determine the effectiveness of

the work done; were the questions answered?

Solution Fluency: Lemonade Stand

With a partner, students will complete a simulation, trying to earn the highest profit

Students decide: How much product to buy How to prepare the lemonade How much to sell the lemonade for and more

Students determine their success and explain

Information Fluency

Effectively find digital resources pertaining to a desired topic Use search skills and terms efficiently Have knowledge of a variety of tools to access

information

Assess reliability and usefulness of information found Determine what information is relevant Detect possible bias or inaccuracy

Information Fluency: Technology of the Past, Today, and Tomorrow

Students will choose a form of technology and research it. They will determine: What the object was like in the past What the object is like now and how it has

changed Based on the evolution of the object, what will

it be like in the future

Collaboration Fluency

Working together skillfully and cooperatively, as a team

Working with various partners; both in face-to-face and online environments

Collaboration Fluency: Character Life Box

During the Holocaust unit and after reading “The Diary of Anne Frank” and “All But My Life,” students will work in groups to: Research a person from either story to gain

more information Create a Character Box of clues and props

pertaining to the person researched Present their Character Box

Creativity Fluency Adding meaning by incorporating

design, art, and storytelling techniques.

Using the imagination to create

Artistic creation More than just functionality

“Logic will get you from A to B

Imagination will take you everywhere”

~Albert Einstein

Creative Fluency: Digital Story Books

Students will work collaboratively to create digital story books for the 4K class. Students will: Write a story Edit or create pictures Edit or create audio Use animations to enhance story

Media Fluency

Critically look at media and… Interpret message Ascertain how it shapes thinking Assess effectiveness of message

Create and publish unique digital products Determine message and choose most

applicable media or presentation tool to

Media Fluency: The Giver and reading blogs

While reading The Giver, as a class, students will keep their own blogs, posting their thoughts about the story and its issues and answering reflective journal questions.

Students will also browse various media websites to keep up with current events or research to learn about other societies, making connections with their reading

Digital Citizenship

Leadership, ethics, accountability, fiscal responsibility, environmental awareness, global citizenship, and personal responsibility.

Consistency in personality Be the same person online as you are in a face-

to-face situation Understand that people online may not really

be who they say they are

(Meinhardt, 2010)

Students will create websites and a presentation (video or poster) while studying the various aspects of Internet Safety. The unit will include: Keeping personal

information private How to be smart online…

talking to people you know, not friending unknown people

Cyber bullying…how to follow rules of netiquette

Digital Citizenship: Internet Safety Web Sites

("Internet safety," 2012)

What does this all mean?

(Kraft, 2010)

Sources

Jukes, I., McCain, T., & Crockett, L. (2010). Understanding the digital generation: Teaching and learning in the new digital landscape. Vancouver: 21st Century Fluency Project, Inc

Kraft, M. (2010). How will you teach me in the 21st century? [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvyP-cwpHN8

Meinhardt, K. (Producer). (2010). 242068_s digital handshake. [Web Graphic]. Retrieved from http://edsome.com/2010/05/digital-citizenship/

(2012). Internet safety. (2012). [Web Graphic]. Retrieved from http://montrosesd.schoolfusion.us/modules/cms/pages.phtml?pageid=225724&sessionid=256f93c7d9d36b372681ae47724b98a8