The Partnership for 21st Century Schools

I recently went to this website: http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/index.php
I greatly appreciate other individuals out there that are working towards the same goals I am. This group is hoping to accomplish the same things as me so I support their work in any way I can. The one issue that I do have with The Partnership is that they work on the administrative and district levels where as I work on the teacher level. Teachers always have lots of say in eduction so if we can educate them in the need for new technologically advanced skills then they can pass it on and work towards getting support. The Partnership tries to teach districts mostly on the need for new skills and that can change schools too. We have the same goals in mind but different ways of promoting them.
I am mostly impressed with The Partnership in how they have corporate support. If you look at their board it is all people from the corporate world. Teachers and the corporate world need each other. We need their support and they need use to provide them with educated workers. It is the same effective partnership that recently started a new charter school here in Colorado. Story at: http://coloradocharters.blogspot.com/2009/11/douglas-county-school-board-hears-stem.html
IF you look over the goals and tools on the website you will find some great stuff. The Partnership I believe is truly working towards a great thing. Again most of the resources are more at the administrative and district levels but it is still good stuff. Please everyone contact The Partnership and ask them to start doing their initiatives here in Colorado because they will be a great ally.

How can blogging help in the classroom?

Blogging just like most technology out there can be used for educational purposes. I think the greatest way to use blogging in the classroom is use it for communication of ideas. Students love to be able to share what they think and the few that are shy should be taught how to share ideas. Sharing ideas goes a long way for our society because the greater transmission of ideas allows our society to find the greatest ideas out there and then use them. When we communicate we can all learn from each other. In the classroom it is the same way. If as a class we can all share our ideas then we can learn from each other. Many peoples ideas are much better than just the teachers sharing his/her ideas. Blogs can be set up by the teacher and then commented on by the students or the students can create their own blogs and then comments on each others. A great example of a school that has embraced blogging in education is a local high school. Here is the link to their blogging page:
http://arapahoe.littletonpublicschools.net/LEARNINGNETWORK/tabid/959/Default.aspx

Why is technology important to the classroom?

Think of technology ten years ago? What pieces of technology were in common use?
Here is what I think of: Nintendo 64, Gameboy, Dot Matrix Printers, and 56k Internet.
Haven't we come a long way?
Technology in the classroom to me is utterly important because we have to prepare our student for the future. Math is used everyday by adults so we teach math. Social Studies is important because it helps people understand their world better. Technology is important because our students will use it hours and hours a day. Even today we can't go about our normal routine without touching technology every hour or so. Therefore we need to teach technology all the time. The world of academics has always changed as the world has changed and integrating technology into every classroom is the next step.
Another reason to use technology in the classroom is to engage the students. Students today use technology as much as all of us. Students love the stimulation that technology gives and as teachers we can use that to our advantage. I know in my classroom when I can show my students a new piece of technology they all pay close attention. Shouldn't teach in a way that engages our students and in a way that they are used too? That is why I think we must use technology in the classroom.