EDUC 638 BLOG 2
Today I would like to discuss eight
or nine essential skills. These vary from one writer to another but most are
very similar. Thy come from a variety of writers. All are needed for technology.
First reading seems to be the one that is
listed first. Most agree that reading is important to all education and should
be taught from the time a person is able to begin formal education or when
intelligence is able to grasp notation. Reading is important for technology for
scanning information, for skimming for overall meaning, for critiquing what’s
read or written, and for integrating information from multiple sources. Later
in life it helps with work instructions, emails and documents such as safety
manuals, policies and reports.
Second is document use. Finding the
information one needs or putting information where it is needed such as labels,
lists, forms, charts graphs, and drawings. It is useful for reading signs,
labels , lists, interpreting graphs and charts and creating or reading
schematics or assembly drawings. Most of this essential is begun in the early
grades of school as we begin to read.
Third is numeric or math. Using
numbers and thinking mathematically to measure and make calculations,
estimations, money accounting, time recognition for schedules, and budgets for
living. Most students begin this at the age of two. Future analysis is dependent
upon math.
Fourth is writing. Most students
begin to learn writing along with language acquisition and reading. Writing is
a part of literacy coupled with reading and speaking. It helps us to organize,
record, document, provide information to persuade, request information, justify
requests, and present analysis and leadership skills.
Fifth is oral communications. This
usually starts to be formed at birth as a baby listens to it family and imitates
sound matched with actions. It allows one to give and exchange information and
ideas. It helps ask questions, explain, persuade, and present. It is used in
greetings, taking messages, reassuring, comforting, persuading, seeking
information, resolving conflicts and facilitates group leadership.
Sixth is working with others. This
could be called social communication. It involves coordinating activities with
others, working as a member of a team or a partner, and engaging in supervisory
or leadership activities. Mostly this learning starts at the age of five or
six.
Seventh is the skill of thinking.
This should be taught early and often from first grade on as we teach
constructively. It involves problem solving, job task organizing and planning,
finding information, critical thinking, and especially significant use of
memory and decision-making. It also helps in memorizing and in long and short
term memory storage.
Eighth is computer use. This involves
using hardware and software and other computer=based technical tools. My three
year old grand -daughter has already begun to learn these skills. It helps later in computation, word
processing, e-mails, creating spreadsheets, gaming, and exposes the person to
the real world.
Last is an add- on of continuous
learning. All should become lifetime learnes. Learning through school, work,
play, from co-workers and students, and from all around us experienced in our
lifetime. Listening has to be a great part of this skill.
Just for my thoughts, I would like to
add more skills that should become essential skills that all children should
learn. These come from Zenhabits an online learning forum. They are in addition
to those already listed.
The first is asking questions, the
second is solving problems. The third is tackling problems. The fourth is
finding passion, what excites us most and rewards us allowing us to enjoy what
we are doing. The fifth independence, standing on our own. The sixth is being
happy on our own, allowing to be alone and not borrowing from parents or
others. The seventh is compassion, which allows us to work with others. Read
the definition of love in Romans. The eighth is tolerance, Its Ok to be
different but differences should be celebrated. The last and one of the most
important is dealing with change. Life is an adventure and we must deal with it
with excitement as things do not always work out the way we expect. We must be
good agents of change. (Hall 2008) Grace
for living is a part of that. We must un-school
many of our preconceptions.
(Picciano 2011) says, “If when a child
is motivated to learn more about self and the world, then I would say that
schooling has achieved its overarching purpose.” Experiencing more has to be
added to the essential skills.
References
Hall, D. (2008). The Technology director’s guide to
leadership, Washington, DC: ISTE
Picciano, A. (2011). Educational
Leadership and Planning for Technology, Boston, MA: Pearson-+
