We're in the 21st Century, Time to Start Teaching/Learning Like We Are!!!
I read the article titled, "15 Characteristics of a 21st-Century Teacher." This article was insightful on what qualities teachers that teach in the 21st century should start taking on whether they have already or not. I completely agree with all of the suggested qualities and feel that I have began the process of implementing some of them within my teacher experience as well.
As I have read in this article, previous courses, and through personal professional developments, a student-centered approach to learning that includes collaboration and creativity through project-based learning is central to 21st century learning structures. This is definitely something that I agree with. Learning should be student-centered because learners are so different in regards to skill levels and interests and access to massive amounts of resources and information is at our student's fingertips; it would be a shame to see those resources that lead to engaging opportunities for our students go to waste. Project-based learning, which involves collaboration among peers and creativity, is extremely important for our students to be exposed to early on because students will need to be equipped with problem-solving skills in order to succeed in the future workforce. With technology advancing as quick as it does, students will need to be able to adapt to new jobs and new technologies within the workforce frequently. Students will be better equipped to face the challenges of adapting to these frequent technology changes by having these collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills that project-based learning provides them in their school years.
I love the ideas of "going global", blogging, and "going digital" that the author of this article mentions as well, especially when linked together. I have gone global within my classroom in the past by incorporating an international pen pal program within our writing block of time throughout the year. The students and parents absolutely love this activity because students get to feel the excitement of receiving a physical letter that came from another place completely on the other side of the world and learn about different cultures. I have been wanting to find a way to take this activity digital, but have not done so yet. I would love to be able to transform the pen pals from written letters to digital letters through blogs and/or Google Docs. The possibilities of vlogs or Skype sessions takes it even one step further by allowing students to see and hear their international friends and their way of life in action as opposed to just reading about it in a letter. It is time that I put these thoughts and hopes into action.
Image Sources: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/3b/bd/da/3bbdda0c0868bf61ea4b20c90260b4c6.png; https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/99/0f/3e/990f3ed4631a7ac655eeee4d30890902.png
These photos provide excellent portrayals of all of the ideas shared within the article on what 21st-century learning should look like. Now it's time to get more schools and teachers on board with a structure that will support the needs of 21st-century teaching and learning best practices.
As I have read in this article, previous courses, and through personal professional developments, a student-centered approach to learning that includes collaboration and creativity through project-based learning is central to 21st century learning structures. This is definitely something that I agree with. Learning should be student-centered because learners are so different in regards to skill levels and interests and access to massive amounts of resources and information is at our student's fingertips; it would be a shame to see those resources that lead to engaging opportunities for our students go to waste. Project-based learning, which involves collaboration among peers and creativity, is extremely important for our students to be exposed to early on because students will need to be equipped with problem-solving skills in order to succeed in the future workforce. With technology advancing as quick as it does, students will need to be able to adapt to new jobs and new technologies within the workforce frequently. Students will be better equipped to face the challenges of adapting to these frequent technology changes by having these collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills that project-based learning provides them in their school years.
I love the ideas of "going global", blogging, and "going digital" that the author of this article mentions as well, especially when linked together. I have gone global within my classroom in the past by incorporating an international pen pal program within our writing block of time throughout the year. The students and parents absolutely love this activity because students get to feel the excitement of receiving a physical letter that came from another place completely on the other side of the world and learn about different cultures. I have been wanting to find a way to take this activity digital, but have not done so yet. I would love to be able to transform the pen pals from written letters to digital letters through blogs and/or Google Docs. The possibilities of vlogs or Skype sessions takes it even one step further by allowing students to see and hear their international friends and their way of life in action as opposed to just reading about it in a letter. It is time that I put these thoughts and hopes into action.
Image Sources: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/3b/bd/da/3bbdda0c0868bf61ea4b20c90260b4c6.png; https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/99/0f/3e/990f3ed4631a7ac655eeee4d30890902.png
These photos provide excellent portrayals of all of the ideas shared within the article on what 21st-century learning should look like. Now it's time to get more schools and teachers on board with a structure that will support the needs of 21st-century teaching and learning best practices.
"Learning should be student-centered because learners are so different in regards to skill levels and interests and access to massive amounts of resources and information is at our student's fingertips; it would be a shame to see those resources that lead to engaging opportunities for our students go to waste." -This is spot on! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteWe are living in exciting times when it comes to teaching and learning with technology. The idea of opportunities going to waste? That's powerful stuff. Quite the way to look at it. So is including the CCSS graphic. It hurts my heart when I encounter people who are "anti-Common Core". I'm convinced they just don't get it. Good luck with the pen pals! I know I offered to be a thought partner a few weeks back. The offer still stands. If you'd like to set up a time to chat once things settle down after the end of the school year, please give me a shout! And thank you for all the thoughtful blogging this term. You've extended my thinking in many ways. ~Doug
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