Beyond the Blackboard:Understanding 21st Century Learners

“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 21^st century by teaching them 21^st century learning skills. So what exactly does that mean? “{Having] 21^st 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. 

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 21^st 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 21^st 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). 21^st century skills for students and teachers. Honolulu, HI: Kamehameha Schools, Research & Evaluation Division.

Schrum, L. & Levin, B. B. (2015). Leading 21^st 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.