Reflection on Learning

In the course Understanding the Impact of Technology on Education, Work, and Society, I have been challenged with learning new technologies and the impact these resources have on my students. In this course I blogged, skyped, created a podcast and a wiki! I had not heard of many of these words before this course, so my technology skills have developed tremendously. These tools will be wonderful learning tools in my classroom next year.

Besides all the technology, I have gained a deeper appreciation of the benefits of a learner-centered classroom. Mark Prensky states that the students of today are used to getting information quickly and from multiple sources all at once, they work best when networking with others (Prensky, 2001). This is quite contrary to the direct instruction, teacher delivery method of most today’s classrooms. We must allow students to come to their own conclusions, while guiding them on the correct path.

Another tool that I have learned to use in this course is the RSS aggregators. With this tool, I will continue to monitor blogs, wikis and news feeds that will allow me to follow the latest in technology and learning. It is very exciting to think that I can be at the forefront of new research that will help my students.

My long term goals to transform my classroom to a 21st century context come directly from the Partnership for 21st Century Skills. I plan to bring the world into my classroom via the internet. Allow students to interact with others, including experts in their field of study on real-world applications that relate to students’ lives. The obstacles to this style are the pressures to teach to the test and restrictions within school technology use. My philosophy on standardized tests is that student centered, 21st century lessons strengthen and deepen understanding of the material students are tested on. This type of learning lasts a lifetime, not just through a week in April of every year. I will start to advocate for students’ use of technology at school and search for solutions to circumvent the restrictions in a safe and responsible manner. The best I can do for my students in preparing them for a productive 21st century society is to model life-long learning myself and bring it to my teaching.


References:
Partnership for 21st Century Skills. A report and mile guide for 21st century skills
Prensky, M. (2001). Digital natives, digital immigrants. On the Horizon, 9(5).

Technology Savvy Seventh Graders

Here is the link to my first podcast, a compilation of the data gathered from my students based on their technology use and proficiency.

http://bankspods.podbean.com/

The Partnership for 21st Century Skills

When you visit The Partnership for 21st Century Skills website, you will notice that a Cyber Summit on 21st Century Skills is taking place over the next two weeks. These are free online events to discuss reforms and education initiatives that would bring 21st century skills into the classroom. The summit culminates on the June 12th in Washington D.C. I am amazed at the support of businesses and educators to facilitate a change in education.

I was surprised by the 21st Century Skill Incentive Fund Act being sponsored in the U.S. House of Representatives. The act provides matching federal funds to those states that incorporate 21st century skills into their core curriculum. This act was developed by those states that have committed to the Partnership’s initiatives. If passed this could help close the gap between the “haves” and “have nots” where technology is concerned. I spent some time examining North Carolina’s goals since it is the closest state to my state, Georgia. I was very impressed by some of the alternative high school opportunities available. One such option is the Learn and Earn high schools. Students earn a high school diploma and two years of college in five years with no tuition charges. These are the types of forward thinking changes that need to happen to keep our students in school.

There were wonderful resources and links to sites with ideas for teaching the skills. Levy and Murnane answer the question, shouldn’t schools be doing more than preparing students for work? The Partnership for 21st Century Skills addresses this issue as well. They encourage that global, civic, health and financial literacy be taught within the core curriculum as well. As we move into a new digital age, there are new problems that our society will face and examining these issues from a range of perspectives will equip us more aptly fort the future.

My school district has adopted what they can to help teachers become more 21st century savvy. We are making small steps, but it is very exciting. Small steps is all I think you can hope for initially. Other states have come much farther and I hope Georgia will one day follow in those state much bigger footsteps.

Visit http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/index.php to learn more.

References:

Levy, F., & Murnane, R. (2004). The new division of labor: How computers are creating the next job market. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

Partnership for 21st Century Skills. (n.d.). Skills framework. Washington DC: Author. Retrieved from http://21stcenturyskills.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=254&Itemid=120

Partnership for 21st Century Skills. (n.d.). A report and mile guide for 21st century skills. Washington DC: Author. Retrieved from http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/images/stories/otherdocs/p21up_Report.pdf