{"id":32,"date":"2013-08-23T19:55:31","date_gmt":"2013-08-23T19:55:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edtune.com\/blog\/?p=32"},"modified":"2013-08-28T20:22:53","modified_gmt":"2013-08-28T20:22:53","slug":"about-relationships","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/edtune.com\/blog\/2013\/08\/about-relationships\/","title":{"rendered":"It’s About Relationships"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Truth About Teaching<\/h1>\n

Some think teaching is about conveying information. Some argue that it is about developing critical thinking. Others frame it is a means of\u00a0fostering lifelong learning and a spirit of inquiry.\u00a0Is there a best model?\u00a0Teaching is about all of the above, but\u00a0more importantly, it is about forging and maintaining relationships<\/strong>. It is what one might call the art and science of teaching.<\/p>\n

Every morning a teacher looks out into the classroom. A few students wait expectantly. Some are talking with friends.\u00a0Many are\u00a0likely checking their smartphone, updating their status on Facebook, or jotting off a quick text – one of 3,000 that month.\u00a0Student conversation\u00a0is as likely to be electronic and face-to-face with what\u00a0Zachary Taylor calls\u00a0the last backpack generation<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In the modern classroom\u00a0the push is for bell-to-bell instruction and active engagement. The teacher begins with a sponge activity, communicates the objective for that lesson, or starts with a quick-write. Class is in session. This is a generation of “connected” kids, we are told. Yet the first time\u00a0one watches\u00a0students work in collaborative groups, the critical teacher may begin to wonder, “Are they connecting to each other in the way that is best for learning? What exactly do I need to teach them to do?”<\/p>\n

To answer that question, let’s\u00a0look at two related\u00a0frameworks for 21st century student competencies. The P21\u00a0framework<\/a> complements and sometimes parallels the ISTE NETS Standards for Students<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"rainbow_081110\"<\/a><\/td>\nThe P21 Framework<\/a> presents a holistic view of 21st century teaching and learning that combines a discrete focus on 21st century student outcomes with innovative support systems.The P21 Partnership<\/a> talks about the 4 Cs of the 21st century classroom:<\/p>\n