There are a number of well thought out websites providing information for teachers to help integrate 21st century skills into the curriculum.

To start we have the Partnership for 21st Century Skills presenting Route 21, a website offering information, resources and tools for teachers and educators. This is a must see site. There is so much to read, so many resources for teachers and educators!

From a blogger known as 21st Century Teacher, we have this excerpt from her blog: "Curriculum is the what of teaching. It becomes important at that point, when creating the curriculum, to have a grasp of 21st century skills. Instruction is the how of teaching. Understanding the 21st century skills in instruction becomes using knowledge to infuse 21st century skills into teaching."
She then refers to Route 21, "Route 21 describes in Curriculum and Instruction ways to meet the needs of the 21st century learner to achieve student outcomes described in its Framework".

A good start above and there is a lot more to see. I will just show a few examples. Here is one which is an Online Course of 7 Essential Questions, Big Ideas and Activities from Chad C. Osborne. Quite interesting... a must read...

Even Adobe is trying to give Microsoft a run for its money by sponsoring a number of initiatives. More here.

There is so much available that you may want to check this Google search. Google search for teaching the 21st century curriculum.

Here is a good resource called, Facilitating 21st Century Learning. A lot of information here.

A fascinating study called Psychological Bars To School Improvement should be read by all. Even though it was written almost 10 years ago By Douglas H. Heath, it is still applicable. Perhaps even more so today than before.

Finally, from the Conference Board of Canada we have this document, Employability Skills.

Good luck and good teaching...

Cheers - Mike

Here is a site regarding the topic of Parental Rights vs. Public Schools. If Alberta Bill 44 gets 3rd reading, then the issue illustrated in the following article won't happen in Alberta. I, as a parent, would be quite thankful for that.

Parental Rights vs. Public Schools

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Here is an abstract of a conference paper as presented below.

NeJaime, Douglas. "Parental Rights, Children's Sexuality, and Schools" Paper presented at the annual meeting of the The Law and Society Association, Hilton Bonaventure, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, May 27, 2008

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There are quite a number of pro and con websites and blogs regarding the subject of parental rights. Only a couple are mentioned above. Once Bill 44 passes 3rd reading, this hullabaloo will be past tense.

I do wonder though, why it is that many of those who disagree with Bill 44 say it strikes a blow against critical thinking. It's time to get off the "critical thinking" band-wagon and do some critical thinking...

Cheers - Mike

Alberta Education has an interesting website for teachers, students, parents and administrators. It seems to be a good resource for anyone interested in education. Here is the link to Alberta Education.

At the National Research Council of Canada, students can take part in science and tech interactive activities. For teachers there is Teacher's Corner with many resources available.

Educational Resources for Beginning Teachers from Ontario is a good resource for all teachers. Although for Ontario teachers it seems to be a resource for all.

Alberta Environment has a good website about Environmental Education for students and teachers.

So, have a look around at Canadian resources. There are many to choose from.

Cheers - Mike

Bill 44 helps to enshrine the rights of parents in legislation as human rights. From the government website we have this excerpt, "Include a "parental rights" section that confirms parents' right to exempt their children from course or subject matter that explicitly deals with religion, human sexuality or sexual orientation.".

I don't like the negative aspects of teaching. Here is one item from the teachers' association which seems to be really driving them crazy... about the possible proclamation of Bill 44, which has the following passage:

Notice to parent or guardian
11.1(1) A board as defined in the School Act shall provide
notice to a parent or guardian of a student where courses of
study, educational programs or instructional materials, or
instruction or exercises, prescribed under that Act include
subject-matter that deals explicitly with religion, sexuality or
sexual orientation.
(2) Where a teacher or other person providing instruction,
teaching a course of study or educational program or using the
instructional materials referred to in subsection (1) receives a
written request signed by a parent or guardian of a student that
the student be excluded from the instruction, course of study,
educational program or use of instructional materials, the
teacher or other person shall in accordance with the request of
the parent or guardian and without academic penalty permit the
student
(a) to leave the classroom or place where the instruction,
course of study or educational program is taking place or
the instructional materials are being used for the duration
of the part of the instruction, course of study or
educational program, or the use of the instructional
materials, that includes the subject-matter referred to in
subsection (1), or
(b) to remain in the classroom or place without taking part
in the instruction, course of study or educational
program or using the instructional materials.

Look at the Alberta Teachers’ Association website home page and you'll find comments about Bill 44. An excerpt says, "School boards, parents, superintendents and teachers all agree that the bill is unnecessary, unworkable and harmful to education.". Ok, STOP right there. Here we go skewing news, this time by the teachers' association. Great. First, I am a parent and I agree with enshrining parental rights in Bill 44. I have talked with other parents and so far, all have supported enshrining parental rights. So what are these teachers really saying? Well, it seems that teachers, school boards and superintendents are only thinking of themselves - NOT their students, NOT the possible majority of parents of their students.
I cannot believe ALL teachers agree with the association stand, but I hope the teachers give it a rest and get back to work looking after their student's education.

Do school boards, etc. not like the amendments because it will be much easier for parents to file a complaint with the Human Rights Commission/Tribunal than to initiate a court case under the Education/School Act?

Or, perhaps it is the fact that if little Johnny leaves class because of a prohibited activity or lesson, the school has to provide an alternate class or lesson for Johnny.

Or, perhaps it is the fact that teachers would have to proactively send notices home with the students about "concerned" lessons/classes (Bill 44), instead of parents having to find out by some other means other than official notification from the school (School Act - which is not parent-friendly).

Under the School Act the school has the options whereas under Bill 44, the parents have the options. It appears the teaching establishment really doesn't like that particular rug pulled out from under them. I believe the "chilling" items mentioned in news media and websites are just red herrings to persuade the government to change the legislation - because, at last, parents finally will have an official say (and schools/teachers don't like it)!

Here is an article (of many) from the Calgary Herald, Lobbyist says Alberta rights bill gives power to the parents

As a final note, I like teachers on an individual basis. I find the teachers at my son's school do care. There are pros and cons to any topic. This is just one issue that seems to be dividing parents and teachers.

Cheers - Mike

PS: I find it fascinating that when teachers are going to be held accountable for certain actions, how much squirming and politicking goes on to get out of it. Wow!

Today I read a long explanation of Critical Thinking by Steven D. Schafersman, which you can read here, Introduction to Critical Thinking. It was published in January, 1991. An excerpt from his manual states, "Children are not born with the power to think critically, nor do they develop this ability naturally beyond survival-level thinking. Critical thinking is a learned ability that must be taught. Most individuals never learn it".

The manual covers the following topics:

Introduction to Critical Thinking
Purpose and Rationale of Teaching Critical Thinking
Definition of Critical Thinking
Relationship of Critical Thinking to the Scientific Method
Formal Critical Thinking Programs
Course Areas In Which to Emphasize Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking Teaching Strategies and Classroom Techniques

The manual is written in layman's terms and is a very good read. The author doesn't discriminate, preach or cast stones. Critical thinking is explained, with examples, in a very easy to grasp way.

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However, my research has found many converts who aren't quite so open-minded or generous. I find it interesting that many "modern" educators and organizations are recommending "critical thinking" as the be all and end all of teaching in the 21st century. Some label non-critical thinkers (how is that determined) as black and white thinkers, egotists and believe "non-critical thinkers" use "their" or "I", because they are selfish. The "critical thinking" proponents seem to be taking a really good evolved concept and turning it into another "religion", complete with converts and fervor. Get a grip.

Use "critical thinking" to explore critical thinking. Remember, rely on reason rather than emotion and keep an open mind.

Cheers - Mike

What have we learned? Are we having fun yet?

Today we have a number of sites to visit for a broad discussion of influences of old affecting our 21st century thinking. We start with Ancient Wisdom for 21st Century Business Communication by Pamela Ziemann. This really applies to students, teachers and educators too. Explore this site. There are some very good tips to be seen.

From a Wikipedia page we have Diversity in Teaching in the Classroom - from days of old to now.

History and Artifacts leading to Teaching History in the 21st Century - bringing historical research to life.

We've learned that the old ones were very smart. They experimented, observed, recorded, created and had a great deal of skill and ingenuity. They used what they had and mystified us for centuries.
Have a look at this site as an example, 21st century technology reveals alchemists' secret recipe.

They learned to write and so, handed down through the ages, we have a collection of writings of philosophy, nature, science and much more.

We've learned that the humanities must not be forgotten in our 21st century. Use technology, but use it to further a whole knowledge, not a fractured knowledge.

Understanding our past allows us to understand our future. The study of anthropology - archaeology and material culture, socio-cultural anthropology, and biological anthropology helps us understand ourselves now and leads us into the future.

We must learn from the rise and fall of previous civilizations.

I'm not indicating we don't need technology, we do need it. Here is just one reason, of millions, why, 21st Century detective work reveals how ancient rock got off to a hot start. But not technology for technology's sake. It is back to the whole. And that is why teaching will have to become more student-centric than in the past. The Factory school standard has to be changed or we will fail our students - our scientists - our doctors - our teachers - our future.

Cheers - Mike

"How do you Inspire?" is a huge topic. I have chosen a number of sites to represent not only schools/students, but business as well. This is a topic which involves almost everyone in their daily lives.

From the UK we have this article by Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, who was inspired and wants to inspire a new generation of students. Her very good article called Let's inspire the next generation of scientists is well worth the read.

A book called Inspire! by Lance H. K. Secretan, looks like it would be well worth reading. A write up about the book can be found here. He looks at a corporate or business environment. An excerpt from the blurb, "...The key to extraordinary long-term performance lies in a transformational commitment to inspiring people rather than motivating them..."

And from the HR Cafe Blog a short article by Michael Boyette called Motivating employees: How do you inspire workers?. Also a good read.

This interesting link is from, of all places, eHarmony. It is called Do You Desire to Inspire? 10 Ways to Inspire the People Around You, which is a good read too.

Well, here is a website representing a group of educators who care about 21st century skills and learning. There seems to be a huge emphasis on technology for developing 21st century skills. Perhaps this is due to the influence of Microsoft. Unfortunately they have partnered with Microsoft for logging in (Windows Live ID). However, Microsoft sponsors some of their activities, such as the 2009 U.S. Innovative Teachers Forum, which takes place August 13-14. The theme is "How do you inspire?". I did get a login id and browsed the site: Innovative Teachers Network "...a global community of educators who share a common interest in enhancing teaching and learning through the innovative use of information and communication technology...". Interesting site, but very Microsoft-centric.

Also thinking of the future and doing something about it, is the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board {HWDSB} in Hamilton, Ontario. They host a website called Secondary Schools of the Future, and are "...embarking on a comprehensive review of secondary education with a goal of determining a vision for a secondary education of the future...".
The HWDSB sponsors a forum here: Secondary Schools of the Future Online Forum
If you have some input please register and take part.

Cheers - Mike