NDSU Distance & Continuing Education (DCE)

Course Description:

This course will provide information for moving you and your students toward a skill set that includes innovative technologies, and life and career skills. As you explore new ideas you will be challenged to shift in a positive manner toward a higher level of critical thinking and enhanced curriculum and instruction. Problem solving, creativity and media and digital literacy skills are addressed, as well as the retooling and shifting of the current school system.

Objectives:

As a result of this participation in this course, students should:

1.  Gain an understanding of the skills students need in the 21st century

2.  Analyze ways that teachers and schools can meet the demands of 21st century learners

3.  Assess and evaluate growth potential and current practice of teachers and schools pertaining to 21st century skills and philosophy

4.  Apply techniques for directly addressing skills highlighted in the text

5.  Critique examples of work driven by the 21st century paradigm and reflect on possible
modifications to current curriculum

Texts/Readings:

Text(s):  Trilling, Bernie and Fadel, C. (2009). 21st Century Skills: Learning for Life in Our Times. CA: Jossey-Bass. (DVD also included)

Articles:  (referenced in the study guide and posted on our website)
Ferrier, W. (May 2010). Educational Leadership: Preparing to Teach Digitally, pages 88-89.

Harris Helm, J., Turkes, S. and Hinton, K. (April, 2010). Educational Leadership: A Habitat for 21st Century Learning, pages 66-69.

Rose, M. (April, 2010).  Educational Leadership: Reform: To What End?, pages 6-11.

Rotherham, A., and Willingham, D. (Sept. 2009). Educational Leadership: 21st Century Skills: The Challenges Ahead, pages 16-21.