A series of resources to continue the conversation started on Election Day in the Southington Public Schools

1. Southington 21st - Century Learning Follow-Up Resources
As we discussed this morning, we know that as the world becomes increasingly digital,
appropriate preparation for life, learning and work beyond school will require the systemic use of
tools for learning that are aligned with these demands. The implications for teaching and learning
are numerous and profound.
The following links are associated with resources that will encourage you to continue the
conversation on related aspects of this issue. Working alone, with a partner, or in a small group,
view or read the resource associated with the link. What did you like, what did you disagree with,
what implications do you see for your classroom, school and district?
1. What would you offer as warm (what you liked) and cool (what you disagreed with)
feedback on this resource?
- Warm
- Cool
2. What additional inquiry questions does this content raise for you as an educator/parent?
3. What are the implications/recommendations you would identify as appropriate for
Southington from what you have learned from this source?

2. Southington21st Century Learning Information Links
(VIDEO – 1 min) Think about the Information Diet - an author that draws a comparison
between how we have consumed food in an era of fast food with the way we are consuming
information in an information age. The one minute video clip tells the story.
http://www.informationdiet.com/
(VIDEO – 4 ½ minutes) Mitch Resnick video from MIT– here the head of the MIT Media Lab
argues that technology is best used as a tool for production and creativity, not the delivery
of information.
http://canidu.com/blog/?p=71
(VIDEO – 11 minutes) Ken Robinson – This RSA Animated talk has been viewed online
almost 9 million times – it focuses on changing the paradigm of education to address the
changing nature of life, learning and work in an information age.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U
(VIDEO – 2 minutes) This resource is from a non-profit dedicated to helping teachers
reimagine what their classrooms could look like in a digitally supported environment that
focuses on student needs rather than traditional organizational constructs.
http://newclassrooms.org/reimagine.html
(VIDEO – 4 minutes) This resource is from the MacArthur Foundation and encourages us to
think differently about the students we teach.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0xa98cy-Rw
(VIDEO – 12 minutes) This is a speech from a high school sophomore (junior now) from
New Haven who participated in our Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences and produced a
mobile device app that got national attention and recognition. This is the best evidence of
the application of 21st century skills.
http://tedxtalks.ted.com/video/TEDxLitchfieldED-Christine-Pugl;search%3Apuglisi

3. (TEXT) Very interesting article from the Chronicle of Higher Education about how the grass
is greener on the other side of the fence – the Chinese chase greater creativity, we chase
better test scores
http://chronicle.com/article/US-Education-in-Chinese/130669/
(TEXT) This article from Lawrence Summers – Harvard President – about the changes – or
lack of changes – needed at the university level driven by 21st century skills.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/22/education/edlife/the-21st-century-
education.html?pagewanted=all
(TEXT) Digital Is... it’s the end of the world as we know it. Resources related to the question
about how the information age is impacting cognition and habits of mind.
http://digitalis.nwp.org/collection/its-end-world-we-know-it-and-i-feel-fine
(TEXT) A summary of what challenges lay ahead for school reformers intent on realigning
our practice with the challenges of 21st century skills and learning.
http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-
leadership/sept09/vol67/num01/21st-Century-Skills@-The-Challenges-Ahead.aspx
(TEXT) A summary of what indicators are most important for creating an engaged learning
environment to support 21st century skills. How many of these 10 are present in your
classroom?
http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/engaged.htm