No Going Back

Reader Magistra M points 21st education straight into the reality of the Recession:

I think it is important to point out that this 21st century skills thing isn't just about preparing our students for the "new" jobs that are being created. There are many jobs that no longer exist, or will soon cease to exist, because of the changes in technology, our economy, and a global society. As the adult unemployment lines get longer, it is hard to argue with the need to provide our current students with the most innovative and comprehensive education possible.

Anonymous Reader Claims the 21st Century is Not Happening!

An anonymous reader comments on a previous statement made here on TeachPaperless:

"C'mon: most of the jobs our elementary and middle school kids will be taking haven't even been invented yet."

I've seen this claim made over and over again by educrats, and I haven't seen the slightest shred of evidence for it.

Can you name a single job that exists today that didn't exist in 1999? I can't think of a single one.

Sorry anonymous reader, you must not get out much.

I'd start with anyone involved in the Wi-Fi industry. Then might add those crazy folks who make iPods. Add indie Web 2.0 developers and MMOG game masters into the mix. Sprinkle in an engineer or two working in Augmented Reality. And plop in a few professional bloggers.

Oh, and how about social media specialists (like the ones who ran with the Obama campaign)? And the entirety of the digital music distribution world (iTunes, etc...). And Green technologists and LEED leaders.

And don't even get me started on Homeland Security.

So, anonymous reader, thank you wholeheartedly for lumping my statement in with the claims of 'educrats', that means a lot coming from someone who apparently missed an entire decade.