Identifying and Measuring the Value of 21st Century Skills
"We need to prepare kids for their future, not our past."
As a technology leader, COSN is certainly an organization to be familiar with as it serves as a voice for K-12 education leaders using technology strategically to improve teaching and learning.
The issue:
The focus of schools is to prepare our students for the future, yes. Well, what skills do the they need to be successful? How will they acquire the skills? How will we assess the skills necessary for the future?
The Partnership for 21st Century Skills provides some insights. Certainly the things students need to learn today are different than what they were 20 years ago... 80% of the general public now believes this. 99% of the populous now recognize that teaching and learning 21st century skills is important to our country's future and economy. So how do we get from here to there? The Partnership for 21st century skills has created a bit of a road map called Route 21. They've included ideas around assessment to assist us in monitoring our success with addressing these skills.
Recommendations
Pick a few skills to focus upon. Develop a partnership with community businesses. Establish Buy-in by a team including the superintendent, administrative leadership, teachers, and school board.
Measure the Value
Which skills make most sense?
What will it cost?
What are the benefits?
How does the implementation meet the strategic plan of the district?
How will we sell it to the constituents?
Value of Investment = Total benefit of proposed project towards school mission or goals vs Anticipated Costs
Money is education tends to be a finite resource... one for which we all compete. By placing actual data in the hands of the decision-makers, provide some sort of scoring model, we will be able to better "sell" our project. according to Mr. Kaestner. Certainly concrete evidence provides measurable talking points, much like a SMART goal.
COSN developed a framework and methodology for schools to use to measure the value of any investment, called VOI.
As a technology leader, COSN is certainly an organization to be familiar with as it serves as a voice for K-12 education leaders using technology strategically to improve teaching and learning.
The issue:
The focus of schools is to prepare our students for the future, yes. Well, what skills do the they need to be successful? How will they acquire the skills? How will we assess the skills necessary for the future?
The Partnership for 21st Century Skills provides some insights. Certainly the things students need to learn today are different than what they were 20 years ago... 80% of the general public now believes this. 99% of the populous now recognize that teaching and learning 21st century skills is important to our country's future and economy. So how do we get from here to there? The Partnership for 21st century skills has created a bit of a road map called Route 21. They've included ideas around assessment to assist us in monitoring our success with addressing these skills.
Recommendations
Pick a few skills to focus upon. Develop a partnership with community businesses. Establish Buy-in by a team including the superintendent, administrative leadership, teachers, and school board.
Measure the Value
Which skills make most sense?
What will it cost?
What are the benefits?
How does the implementation meet the strategic plan of the district?
How will we sell it to the constituents?
Value of Investment = Total benefit of proposed project towards school mission or goals vs Anticipated Costs
Money is education tends to be a finite resource... one for which we all compete. By placing actual data in the hands of the decision-makers, provide some sort of scoring model, we will be able to better "sell" our project. according to Mr. Kaestner. Certainly concrete evidence provides measurable talking points, much like a SMART goal.
COSN developed a framework and methodology for schools to use to measure the value of any investment, called VOI.
posted by Sohne @ 2:38 PM
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