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The phrase “21st-century skills” is everywhere in education policy discussions these days, from faculty lounges to the highest echelons of the U.S. education system.

Broadly speaking, it refers to a push for schools to teach ­­­critical-thinking, analytical, and technology skills, in addition to the “soft skills” of creativity, collaboration, and communication that some experts argue will be in high demand as the world increasingly shifts to a global, entrepreneurial, and service-based workplace.

But now a group of researchers, historians, and policymakers from across the political spectrum are raising a red flag about the agenda as embodied by the Tucson, Ariz.-based Partnership for 21st Century Skills, or P21, the leading advocacy group for 21st-century skills. Array of Skills In the Partnership for 21st Century Skills’ vision for K-12 education, the arches of the rainbow depict outcomes, while the pools represent the resources needed to support those outcomes. But critics contend that states implementing this vision might focus too heavily on discrete skills instruction, at the expense of core content. SOURCE: Partnership for 21st Century Skills Unless states that sign on to the movement ensure that all students are also taught a body of explicit, well-sequenced content, a focus on skills will not help students develop higher-order critical-thinking abilities, they said at a panel discussion here in the nation’s capital last week.

Our goal has always been to make web based text messaging free and as simple as possible and we're sticking by that in 2008. Which is why we let you do everything in one easy step, on one simple webpage. TxtDrop enables users in the United States and Canada to send text messages with instant delivery.

PHOTO OP (Shockwave, 7 MB) is a two-part interactive activity that introduces you to digital photography and digital photo editing. Use the virtual camera to create snapshots and explore lighting, focus, shutter speed, and compositional effects. After you've taken some photos, switch to the Photo Op editor and transform your pictures into something completely different. This Art Zone interactive is suitable for all ages. Young children will find it easy to take simple snapshots and transform or recolor their virtual photos. More advanced users can create complex artistic compositions by layering, applying filters, and experimenting with various special effects, lighting, and blends. If you need help, scroll down for some hints about how to use the program.  If your Internet connection is slow, allow the program to load fully, then come back to play.

Overview Teacher Program Details Effectiveness studies What educators say Parent education resources Instructional philosophy Curriculum See-a-Lesson now Get a FREE DreamBox Learning subscription for your classroom Through June 30, 2009, get a free classroom subscription Any qualified teacher can sign up! (Read program details.) Already have an account? Go to teacher login DreamBox Learning provides more than 350 math lessons and completely individualized learning in an engaging and effective game experience that kids really like! But teachers appreciate the ability to track student's academic progress through the in-depth math curriculum. Through June 30, 2009, we are offering a free classroom subscription for any qualified teacher in the U.S. and Canada! So you can try the next generation of online learning for yourself. Then you can set up your entire classroom, computer lab, or after-school program to play and learn with DreamBox. (Read program details.) Just 4 easy steps to starting your subscription You can apply for a free DreamBox classroom subscription by following these easy steps. Create your teacher account Make sure your computers meet the requirements Play some sample DreamBox lessons Apply for your free classroom subscription Why should you use DreamBox in your classroom? DreamBox Learning K-2 Math is a solid curriculum, taught in a way that enhances learning fun.

DreamBox Learning provides more than 350 math lessons and completely individualized learning in an engaging and effective game experience that kids really like!

DreamBox Learning K-2 Math is a solid curriculum, taught in a way that enhances learning fun.

Rheingold points to five reasons for teaching students social media: Developing students' literacy in our new online environment is as crucial as developing their abilities to read and write. Communication is moving toward social media. We can either help students thrive in this environment or leave them flailing. Many students bring their computers to class. Why not work with this trend instead of fighting or ignoring it? Social media is just that: social. Students who use Twitter for class are "learning collaborative skills that are particularly important today." There is only so much class time. Rheingold makes mini-lectures on video that students comment on between classes, allowing more time to engage the issues through in-class discussion. Shy students who hold back in class often speak up online. "If you can extend the discussion to an online message board, you enable students who may not jump into the discussion," he said, to "make a thoughtful contribution."