#21stedchat Archive
Our mission for our 21st century chat is to create a positive 21st century learning environment for our students by sharing resources and ideas that has worked in our classrooms. Join us every Sunday from 8:00-9:00 PM (EST) on Twitter using the hashtag #21stedchat. All are welcome!
Sunday May 15, 2016
Welcome to tonight we discuss Rethinking College with and I. We will do Q & A style. PLS introduce yourself.
Hi, I'm Mary- Elementary Principal, Northern California.
Nicole Mackinder, Spanish teacher, Bloomfield hills, MI. Glad to be part of the discussion!
Andrea, teacher from Kansas City
Hello, - Mike, NJ, math, other stuff.
Hello! 7th/8th Social Studies teacher, Grand Rapids, MI
Amanda Z, Saranac Lake NY, Chem Teacher, Nat'l Teaching Fellow
Good Evening, Jim... North Jersey
I’m Jill from NC a Personalized Learning Director and co-host of
Q1 Rethinking College: what should it look like for todays world? If u could have a perfect Higher Ed, what would it look like?
Hello! 2nd grade teacher from Kansas City, MO
A1: It would look like something where it's not compliance-based and fosters life long learning.
A1 I would hope for a system that has classes with more long term projects that lead to portfolio building
A1. College should be more about job embedded practice and experiences.
Lose the effluvia..... Focus on the content.... Affordable... Online... 21st Century readiness
Q1 completely online! With technologies such as Snapchat, Skype, and face time, an online experience can still be relational
A1. More indepth discussion and exploration of topics that relate to life. Enough theory, get to application. Truly engage s's.
and contain courses with service learnt components
Good evening in and out of the chat this evening. Coming off of math edition
A1 Efficient use of time; there are so many hoops to jump through. More time for collaboration in meaningful ways.
A1) Flexible learning spaces. Content available online and connecting with experts. Student directed learning w/ much collab.
and contain courses with service learning components
A1 What’s the purpose of college? In college - you’re studying a discipline. Should not be like K-12.
A1: grades 13 & 14 in HS .... 2 years for content in college, job-embedded research & internship... Graduate.... Masters....
Yes! We spend so much time *talking* about ideas, but where's the time to plan and implement?
Rt of Q1 what should it look like for todays world? If u could have a perfect Higher Ed, what would it look like?
Katrina from NC. Just getting back to town from Atlanta. Glad I made it back in time for this chat.
Q2a Rethinking College Admission what should it look like? Should tech proficiency be included as part of the admission process?
I'd also want connections back on over to high schoolers https://t.co/Yiyh9D6A8O
A1: grades 13 & 14 in HS .... 2 years for content in college, job-embedded research & internship... Graduate.... Masters....
True or false.... Most jobs can be learned "on the job"?????
False. I'd prefer the surgeon not to learn "on the job" that might be bad
https://t.co/QxvHlJgZpG
True or false.... Most jobs can be learned "on the job"?????
Wow! This is an excellent resource.
The jobs that can be learned “on the job” probably don’t have much to do with college.
A2a: Tech proficiency should be defined, specifically & part of college app. Less focus on test scores. Personal references too.
A2a Shouldn't it be understood that applicants are tech proficient? Part of the unwritten expectations of applying to college?
A2a I don’t know exactly what it should look like, but it’s not what we have now.
a portfolio submission could include samples of tech proficiency
A2: All HS's would have to live up to their hype that their students are technology literate....
A2 The admission process itself should require technological proficiency. Applicants should have a career in mind
I'd say theory is learned in the classroom and real-life application is learned on the job.
A2a The college admissions “game” is exactly that - 500K+ students applying to the same 50 colleges.
A2. I do think college admissions should examined. items to be included ranging from tech to problem solving.
Q2b. What items should be included in when a student applies to college?
A2b Eportfolios should be included & not just essays/test scores. Students should be able to show-off other skills they have
A2b) I think that a school and real life portfolio should be included. Showcasing talents that one brings to school.
Grr at the game. https://t.co/hmbx3uFwFV
A2a The college admissions “game” is exactly that - 500K+ students applying to the same 50 colleges.
A2b: Work samples, references, LORs, personal statement.
A1: I went to a primarily undergraduate school with lots of hands-on and labs. I would hope for that for anyone who wanted it.
My 4 C's + page https://t.co/3pnBUeyzb5 Stress: Critical Thinking - Communication-Collaboration- Creativity-Connectivity
A2b) I love the idea of an eportfolio with all kinds of artifacts
Hi , how is everyone doing tonight? I'm Leslie, a HS biology T in Mty, MX. If I could be a S in Higher Ed forever, I would!
A college applicant's digital footprint may be part of their "application". How have they conducted themselves online?
why? what do you like about it?
A2b - Ditto + make it an electronic portfolio to show some tech proficiency
A2b) I recently saw an app called that is a site where students can develop a social presence & place academic work.
A2a) Does absolutely everything you can do/be involve tech? If not, then no. Where is personal choice in all-or-nothing?
Q3. Is college the best route for every student? How should we be preparing Students who may not be on a college path?
absolutely. Both should blend and intertwine together!
a portfolio should show the learning journey of a student. Students should demonstrate a growth mindset
I like how the tech is embedded.
Love the idea of having students demonstrate a growth mindset
A3) absolutely NOT. Our job is not prepare everyone as if they are robots - we are preparing students to function in society.
A3: Everyone is not going to college. It would be great if we had trade schools for HS so Ss could graduate with a trade.
A2b) A digital portfolio seems reasonable. Who are you when you are being you online? What is your passion?
A3 not every student will go to college. The world still needs handy people that does not require college
A3 College is too expensive to be practical. College is becoming less relevant as quality info becomes more easily accessible
A3: No, b/c of the way it is now. College COULD be for everyone if it was changed in many ways.
. Are there really people at Higher Ed who are capable of processing all of this stuff X # of applicants?
a portfolio should be sequential. One thing builds on another but that requires schools to be onboard
A3. I don't think it is the best route for all.Prep for out of college is different w/value on presenting oneself, job prep,etc.
A3 College is absolutely NOT the right route for everyone. The problem is, our system assumes it is. That’s what needs changing.
Rt of Q3. Is college the best route for every student? How should we be preparing Students who may not be on a college path?
A3 Clear benefits, but not for everyone. All Ss need to be prepped to keep jobs & care for themselves regardless of ed. level
Yes, I just had to do most of that stuff for the doctoral program I applied to. Up to each institution to decide.
A3) College has never been the right path for everyone, and that is unlikely to change. Skills-based and passion-based learning.
A3; Stalking this conversation and VERY interested in the topic as I have a HS sr and jr
I could follow my interests, talk to professors, learn from researchers, be independent.
A3 We should also trust 14 (no typo)-year-olds who indicate their interests lie outside of college & help them find their path.
A3: My HS Jr is planning a gap year. I think it's an awesome choice for her!
Please share your opinions. I would love to hear your thoughts.
I've lost the thread, what am I thinking about? All-or-nothing?
good point. This is probably already happening as well.
Gap years are being more popular all over the place
Doctoral programs are much smaller in terms of # of applicants vs. undergrad programs. Understaffed, IMHO.
yes, we need more specialized programming to move all learners toward future of success!
Right on, . Why force a square peg in a round hole?
And Malia Obama's decision will increase the popularity that much more.
A3) There need to be more trade school programs. I think that we are under serving this population and these career paths.
Completely agree. We need to offer more options to our Ss. https://t.co/4vAlbYWNWv
A3) There need to be more trade school programs. I think that we are under serving this population and these career paths.
You could argue that American education has a strong force-square-pegs-into-round-holes streak. Alas.
. I certainly hope we are! Algorithmic preparation is long gone, now it's heuristic preparation we need!
I wonder how many students who take a gap year might stay out in the workforce instead of going to college
Agreed. I've seen the damage this can do. Lost opportunities all around.
Q4. How are you as a teacher, district leader etc preparing students for other options besides college?
A3: My dter sends me articles to keep me believing in the importance of gap years. https://t.co/aUFUbIE8LJ (I already believe)
So many schools had those resources - shops, cooking, fashion design, etc. - and let them go. A shame.
All or nothing approaches rarely fit anyone, not even educators! It takes all kinds of teachers!
From where?--please know that I'm a believer.
I agree about trade school options. I know of employers who cannot find skilled workers with the proper training
or at the very least externships with companies that are similar if those programs aren't available.
It's a heartbreaking trend. My HS had it all b/c it was a regional hub HS. Canadian public system tho.
A4 teaching Ss that there r multiple solution to life's questions is a giant step for those on a non-college path
A4 By simply having conversations with them about their options for the future
now emerging from high stakes testing run (fingers x'd) we can reflect on what we lost & what we want back
Do you know of any studies about this?
A4. I am on my districts CCR team and trying to provide our students with as many options as possible
A4: By opening up dialog about other options, admitting they exist, sharing stories of friends who took those paths.
no but i think there will be one in the next four years
A4: Senior Option, or Option II program.... HS Senior year internships, college coursework, project acceleration ....
The construction field in California is booming https://t.co/u8GFZEKxCu
I agree about trade school options. I know of employers who cannot find skilled workers with the proper training
A4 Listening to interests, not forcing college, and talking about what problem they want to solve.
Q4: Elementary makerspace-- promoting learning by doing. School=something for everyone
What is your success rate with this? :)
I want to believe that we’re coming out of that era, but I don’t see it yet. Agree we need to decide what to reclaim.
Plumbers and electricians in Canada, last I heard, were scarce and paid better than many other professions.
Just seems that other tests will replace the high stakes ones. It's a high stakes business.
yes, relationships certainly are key! No one cares what you know until they know you care!
A4) In elementary, we need to do a better job exploring different career paths.
A4) We help students to identify and explore their areas of interests
It's a balance though. Careers are changing and kids feel like they have to decide at too young an age IMHO
or at least have students start thinking about pathways
I'm not a teacher but I would put emphasis on programming and also skilled trades.
I sometimes think that when we ask kids to decide on areas of interest when they are teenagers, we are teaching fixed mindset
Raise your hand if you have students who “know” (at age 15) they are going to be a doctor someday.
Q5. Do you think more Colleges should be virtual? Do you think they would be more beneficial for todays students?
The GIF was so mesmerizing that I forgot the question! Numeric data is my squirrel.
Yes! We had career fair at my school a couple of weeks ago. Ss were so excited to learn from everyone. https://t.co/xeTQp6f4by
A4) In elementary, we need to do a better job exploring different career paths.
I was sure I was going to be a vet and I think you can tell from my profile that's not the case.
I agree-find your 'thing' to go and do. May take a lot of tries, that is OK.
A5 Based on the current success rate of online colleges, I am skeptical that more are needed.
there will always be the tests, but there's more push back on value now
Growth mindset! You're not a vet yet. https://t.co/OefmJ7q8rz
I was sure I was going to be a vet and I think you can tell from my profile that's not the case.
Sometimes the job chooses you. https://t.co/7UuTtnwnBo
I agree-find your 'thing' to go and do. May take a lot of tries, that is OK.
A5: Colleges are missing out if they are not both physical and virtual. As nature teaches us, diversity promotes stability.
Ha! That's a good one. Thanks!
A5) I have mixed feelings. I'm afraid the next generation will lack the ability to have face to face convos
Q4: Match students w/ internships in interested careers two years b4 graduation, so they can learn what they like / don't like
A5 depends class and subject matter. Some things need to in person
Many more colleges are going test-optional.
I agree with , you've got years left in your life and therefore life left in your years, !
A5 that might lead to more paper colleges and diploma mills
A5: The one who is doing the talking has done the learning.
A5 Toss up. Online schooling needs extreme organization and S support to work. As an S, I prefer face-to-face.
I’m also thinking of kids who choose their future career paths & how many have others choose for them.
A5. Encourage s's to try + explore, work hard in everything to keep doors open.
True. I'm pretty happy with my path, though. LOL. :)
A5) There's something about the social college life. I'm concerned if we tried to place it all online.
In every future generation there will be some who are great at F2F, just as it always has been.
Yes. There's a lot that's learned outside of class.
Rt of Q5. Do you think more Colleges should be virtual? Do you think they would be more beneficial for todays students?
. Agreed, me too, but just got his TI Masters online and swears by it. Something for everyone is best!
Q5. Not all skills can be learned online, tech careers R great online but interpersonal skills R lacking & critical 2 success
Have to go listen to my senior practice her capstone Thank you--great chat. Impt topic!
Because of having to go back to school and work full-time, I think graduate school being online makes sense
Q6. What is one take-away from tonight’s
A5. Person to person interaction is key. I tell s's personally ask 4 a letter of recommendation or a retake.
.... There are enough online "colleges" charging a fortune for limited work... You could print your own diploma....
There's that dastardly word "all" again.
Accountability & discipline is the struggle I've seen w/virtual v. F2F.
A6 that students are different learning paths and we need to respect their journey
Yes, certain kinds of learners respond well to it, and others don't. Hence my support of variety.
A6) I'm not the only one rethinking college! Changes need to be made to fit the modern world. Still, one size never fits all
A6 We need to provide more paths for Ss in HS to help them better understand what they might want to do by giving them options
Thank you for joining Join us next week as we discuss Student Motivation. Sunday 8:00 PM EST
..... Are we looking for the "paper".... Or someone who can do the job through their training...
A6 New perspective on post-secondary ed. Pondering how conversations w/ my Ss will go after hearing other opinions.
A6: This chat reinforced for me the dangers of all-or-nothing thinking and approaches. One size fits none, even in higher ed.
A6: Discover what you like to do, & accomplish it!
For a brain surgeon? I want to see the diploma. For an auto mechanic for my BMW (ha ha)? I want to see certificates.
A6: Every 1 learns differently & that encouraging that is the key not the empowers students
I like your point. What the "consumers" want dictates what higher ed needs to look like
