21st Century Skills

image- http://teacherspodcast.org

EDweek.org - "New Initiatives Signal Shift in U.S. Ed-Tech Leadership "

Excellent! We're now well into the digital-age and it's time education followed suit in understanding the importance of student's access to the internet.  As is described in "21st Century Skills" by Trilling and Fadel (A must read for all educators) the essential skills required to succeed in the world today involve literacy in technology.  Students must have access to resources in order to succeed, not only in schools, but also in their careers.

While some might say (and I agree) the internet is taking over many aspects of daily life that might have been better suited without it.  However, the internet is an amazing array of learning tools that can help students learn in a plethora of ways.  The internet can help an ESL student with the click of a button, ensuring that they can read and understand the course material in their own language so that they do not fall behind simply because they're trying to learn English at the same time.  The internet can do many things for a student who is visually impaired and allow them to be as functional with technology and the world around them as any other student.

An understanding of the internet, email, and even social media is something that people with success in the business world have and use to promote their careers.  No student should be asked to do as much without access to these technologies.  This plan by Comcast should be looked at by other internet providers, all of whom have the means to offer these low-rates to provide access to all students.  If we provide students with the tools and support, they will become the innovators of the next generation, they will be able to turn the corner and find success in their future.

-MB