21st Century Learning Activities in Arkansas
An Arkansas task force told state legislators that classrooms in the 21st century won't have lecterns or rows of desks, but instead students grouped together working with computers and other technology as teachers mill about.
Legislation passed in 2005 authorized the Arkansas Task Force on Knowledge-Based Technology (ASTA) to develop a knowledge-based technology curriculum for use in grades seven through 12 to develop students into effective and productive global citizens in the 21st century and meet challenges in education, economic development and community development.
John Ahlen, president of the Arkansas Science and Technology Authority.and others recently presented a report to members of the joint House and Senate committee on Advanced Communications and Information Technology.
ASTA has compiled 240 teacher-created lesson plans that integrate technology into core curriculum and that teachers can access online. Using free online tools, students can compile data and hold discussions--potentially with students at other schools, all while teachers incorporate lessons on graphing, prediction-making, economics, entrepreneurship and other topics.
The task force identified providing ongoing professional development for teachers as a challenge ahead.
It recommended Arkansas join the Partnership for 21st Century Skills to develop new standards. It also recommended accelerated deployment of SMART Portal database, a tool for teachers can access and add to the lesson plans and receive professional development.
Other recommendations included ensuring adequate access to technologies for student and teachers, collaborating with Connect Arkansas in providing technology access statewide and establishing a permanent advisory committee to ASTA made of up broad stakeholders to set strategic direction, provide oversight and evaluate progress.
Costs were not discussed, and no legislative decisions were made.
Source: Arkansas News Bureau, Technology curriculum for 21st century classrooms discussed, by Jason Wiest
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Beyond the basics, students will need 21st century competencies to survive and thrive in the future. They will have to know how to think critically, apply knowledge to new situations, analyze information, understand new ideas, communicate effectively, collaborate, solve problems, and make decisions. School districts are looking for ways to help students acquire these new skills while they also address NCLB mandates.
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