“The pedagogical concept of education is the art and science of helping students learn. In helping students learn, there is a societal philosophy that we are trying to provide young people with the necessary knowledge, skills, and dispositions that will help them to be healthy, informed and productive citizens” (Whitehead, Jensen, & Boshcee, 2013, p. 82). However, the citizens of our country are constantly changing from generation to generation. The skills my parents needed to learn to be “healthy, informed and productive citizens” are not necessarily the same skills my current fifth-graders need to master. We need to prepare our students for the 21st century by teaching them 21st century learning skills. So what exactly does that mean? “{Having] 21st century learning skills [means one has] the ability to a) collect and/or retrieve information, b) organize and manage information, c) evaluate the quality, relevance, and usefulness of information, and d) generate accurate information through the use of existing resources” (Pacific Policy Research Center, 2010, p. 2). One incredible tool that incorporates all of these skills into one is technology.
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| I do recommend everyone read this short informative "book" on 21st century learning. I feel I have grown as an educator because of the information found here. 21st Century Skills for Students and Teachers |
“Technology is a proven tool that can help lower dropout
rates, enhance student achievement, provide access to information around the
world, and raise students’ self-esteem” (Whitehead, et al., 2013, p. 81). In
fact, there is ample research concluding the importance of technology
integration into the curriculum; however, there are still barriers negatively
impacting technology integration. “Technology is just a catalyst for learning. It’s still
the teacher that’s key” (Merina, 2013, p. 21). Technology is an
important key to our students’ success in the 21st century, but if
teachers do not know how to implement this technology and teach students how to
properly use technology, then our students are not going to receive the
benefits technology could provide. “Teachers need proper training and knowledge
to help them take full advantage of the potential that technology has for
reforming the educational experience for students” (Whitehead, et al., 2013, p.
81). It has also been found that professional development sessions held only at
certain times, such as the beginning of the school year, do not yield strong
results among professional growth. Professional development must be ongoing and
meaningful. Studies have found that “the most effective type of professional
development seems to be teacher to teacher and provided in the format and
timing that meets each teacher’s needs” (Schrum & Levin, 2015, p. 44). Teachers
need to be trained in the understanding that technology is not just a tool but
also a new teaching method. Technology is changing the classroom, so teachers
need to change, too. With the help of continuous professional development, all
teachers will be better able to help students engage in and master the 21st
century skills necessary for them to be successful adults.
References
Merina, A.
(2013). Managing the technology takeover. NEA
Today, Summer, p. 21.
Pacific Policy
Research Center. (2010). 21st
century skills for students and teachers. Honolulu, HI: Kamehameha Schools,
Research & Evaluation Division.
Schrum, L. &
Levin, B. B. (2015). Leading 21st
century schools: Harnessing technology for engagement and achievement. Thousand
Oaks, CA: Corwin.
Whitehead, B. M.,
Jenson, D. F. N, & Boschee, F. (2013). Planning
for technology: A guide for school administrators, technology coordinators, and
curriculum leaders. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.
