We determined that our students were lacking in Higher-Order and Inventive thinking skills, specifically risk taking and critical thinking. We decided that we wanted to create a safe classroom environment that encourages and promotes the utilization and synthesis of 21st Century Skills. We recognized that in order to accomplish this, we would have to start at the top, with the faculty, and work down to the students.
We want to see the teachers using higher level questioning and promoting critical thinking in their students. To that end, we are looking for the following characteristics in the classrooms:
- student are thinking and understanding, not simply memorizing
- activities serve and end purpose, not activities for the sake of activities
- teachers will naturally use technology when it serves the purpose
- teachers and students are collaborating for the enhancement of the classroom
The teachers will take a traditional lesson that has been successful and incorporate 21st century skills. They will reflect on the outcome of both lessons to determine the success. Our assessment will be evaluating the effectiveness of these lessons and ongoing evaluation of classroom practices (types of questions asked, types of assignments and assessments given).
Indentify and Establish Common Language for 21st Century Skills
- Brainstorm in Small Groups
- Review Data and Establish Common Vocabulary
- Provide List of Vocabulary to Faculty (Intranet and Wiki)
Teachers Complete WebQuest Exploring Essential Questions
Record Current Faculty Questioning Methods
- Discuss “Critical Friends” concept with Faculty
- PLP Team Members record questions used in classrooms for each classroom teacher
- Discuss Questioning results
Teach and Model the 21st Century Skills to the Faculty
- Preassessment
- Teach 21st Century Skills during August Inservice
- Postassessment
Teachers Create 21st Century Lesson from an Existing, Well-Established Lesson Plan
- Lesson created
- Lesson used in classroom
- Lesson effectiveness evaluated
Create a Safe Classroom Environment
- Class Meetings
- Establish and Promote Learning Community
Utilize Higher Level Questioning in Classrooms
Give Choices in Assignments and Assessments
We are in the initial stages of the process. As of now we have completed, discussed and evaluated the teacher survey. We have discussed 21st Century Skills as a group, and have worked on an Essential Question Webquest. Before the end of the 2010-2011 school year, we will be using the Critical Friends model to observe each faculty member and document the numbers and types of questions currently being used. We will develop and present our Professional Development Plan in August 2011, and the faculty will be reworking their Lesson Plan to present in the 2011-2012 school year. We expect to see the fruit of our labors as the 2011-2012 school year progresses.
