21st Century Skills & The Challenges Ahead

"Many U.S. students are taught these skills—those who are fortunate enough to attend highly effective schools or at least encounter great teachers—but it's a matter of chance rather than the deliberate design of our school system. Today we cannot afford a system in which receiving a high-quality education is akin to a game of bingo. If we are to have a more equitable and effective public education system, skills that have been the province of the few must become universal." I agree with this statement in that we can't even afford good education in some places yet we are expected as students to have all these skills. This paragraph recognized the sad truth of the matter. 

"But if the issue is, instead, that schools must be more deliberate about teaching critical thinking, collaboration, and problem solving to all students, then the remedies are more obvious, although still intensely challenging." I do believe that this is one of many issues in our education system. One important thing I believe that they are leaving out though is that we need teachers who are highly qualified to teach us effectively about critical thinking. collaboration, and problem solving. So many teachers aren't in it for the job, just the money.

"The history of U.S. education reform should greatly concern everyone who wants schools to do a better job of teaching students to think. Many reform efforts, from reducing class size to improving reading instruction, have devolved into fads or been implemented with weak fidelity to their core intent. The 21st century skills movement faces the same risk." I agree that this problem should in fact concern basically everyone. We're America's future. Teacher's who had tried to get us on the right path either haven't tried hard enough or don't have a support system of other teachers who want to do the same on their side.

Media Literacy: Decontsucting Two Arnolds

This magazine cover was an advertisement for political purposes.

It was part of Arnold's campaign for governor of California. Look at how he is pointing at us as if to say "Thanks for your vote, you fine American citizen!" There is a woman in a small bubble next to him looking rather revealing. It is captioned "A Salute to our British Allies." I'm not sure how that is relevant to the magazine. Anywho, I also noticed how the lighting looks on the cover. It is on Arnold's face trying to make him look important as the center of the magazine. Also, the bold, red text that spells Arnold's name is a tactic to catch the reader's eye because it stands out so well.