"Failing to engage parents and the community dramatically lowers the prospect of increasing the number of students going to college or being prepared for a 21st century career " (Fege and Foster). The research is fairly conclusive that the engagement of parents is directly related to student engagement and success in student learning. So when we are instituting educational reform, it is important that we get the parents/guardians on board. But how do we do this?
21st century learning shouldn't be controversial, it is merely learning how to learn. It is using modern tools, for modern learning, in a modern world. Explaining to parents how collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking look inside a classroom can help ease anxieties. Most organizations recommend explaining 21st century learning in terms these questions:
Why do we need to change?
A very thorough study done by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills noted the following:
What needs to be done?
The biggest thing we can do is to model 21st century skills. Use the tools and invite parents in. Hold open houses and conferences that demonstrate areas of learning incorporating these skills. Show how technology unleashes students' desire to learn. Now most of these ideas are for levels above most of us, so I have also included a handout for parents on 21st century learning.
For more information: http://ericsheninger.com/esheninger?sid=28
21st century learning shouldn't be controversial, it is merely learning how to learn. It is using modern tools, for modern learning, in a modern world. Explaining to parents how collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking look inside a classroom can help ease anxieties. Most organizations recommend explaining 21st century learning in terms these questions:
Why do we need to change?
A very thorough study done by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills noted the following:
- The world in which learners find themselves today is fundamentally different than before; the expansion of information and communication technology is transforming the nature of learning.
- 21st Century Skills establish new learner standards by integrating coresubject mastery and contemporary, interdisciplinary themes (e.g., civic literacy, global awareness, and environmental literacy).
- With the learning environment and teacher competency as primary factors, the development of these skills can be achieved in many ways (e.g., place-based, project-based, or problem-based learning).
- Although research in this area is relatively young, existing evidence links 21st Century Skills with positive learner outcomes.
What needs to be done?
The biggest thing we can do is to model 21st century skills. Use the tools and invite parents in. Hold open houses and conferences that demonstrate areas of learning incorporating these skills. Show how technology unleashes students' desire to learn. Now most of these ideas are for levels above most of us, so I have also included a handout for parents on 21st century learning.
For more information: http://ericsheninger.com/esheninger?sid=28