The Global Achievement Gap

The latest book I have glued to my sticky fingers is The Global Achievement Gap by Tony Wagner, co-director of the Change Leadership Group at Harvard Grad School of Education.  This is one of the best books of my independent study as it discusses the very real, global, 21st century challenges our children face.  From the technological explosion to global warming to political instability and the threats to our democracy, our kids need special skills to be successful problem solvers in this environment.  He lists the Seven Survival Skills:
1.) Critical thinking and Problem Solving
2.) Collaboration Across Networks and Leading by Influence
3.) Agility and Adaptability
4.) Initiative and Entreprenuerialism
5.) Effective Oral and Written Communication
6.) Accessing and Analyzing Information
7.) Curiosity and Imagination

 Unfortunately, the school system has been unable to evolve at a pace fast enough to teach our kids what they will need.  Back to the 'teaching to test' argument...so much effort is put into accountability for the sake of accountability that there is NO time to engage the students into real critical thinking, problem-solving activities.  Teachers are too overstressed and over-burdened to help prepare students for the extremely competitive job market of the future.

So the question becomes, how do we teach, and what do we teach our kids to get them ready? He discusses project based learning opportunities as key to engaging students into real world learning.  He references the High Tech High model.

to be continued....

notes:

Net Generation- multitasking, shallow social networking, balancing on the edge of over-stimulation and chaos with information overload... This is a revolution/evolution of humanity that cannot be ignored.  Change is upon us and moving at a pace never seen before, we must stay aware of these changes and help guide and shape these young people as they ride the info highway.  Must take a hard look at the system that isn't able to keep pace.  Rejection of archaic methodologies...

There are 3 reasons people want to learn. 
1.) push- need, risk, threat, or risk. (Government safety nets prevent this from being a motivation.)
2.) transfer of habits - social norms and tradition.  (Well, we know about the erosion of social values.)
3.) pull- interest, desire, passion. (It's our greatest hope!)