Learning in the 21st Century

 To be able to teach in the 21st century is a blessing.  We are able to get information out to the students and/or parents through the use of many virtual components that weren't available years ago.  We, as well as, the students have access many social networks, tools, digital literacy, etc.  The options are almost limitless.  We are here to teach them how to use these resources both securely and appropriately.  

Students of the 21st century have a new take on how they expect us to teach them.  By listening to and watching these students we are finding new ways to incorporate the components of Bloom's Taxonomy into everyday education.  As teachers we have got to learn how to integrate things such as Facebook, Skype, Google,  and other tools that could be used for educational purposes into the classroom.  Teachers need to know both the old and new methods of teaching in the classroom no matter the subject.  

Technology can fail so it doesn't hurt to have the tried and true method to fall back on.  There are many ways that we, as teachers, can engage our students in the classroom.  It just so happens that this generation of kids is techno savvy and they need to have these types of interactions at some point during instruction to keep them interested.  In today's class, technology provides a leverage that worksheets, manipulatives, and other types of instructional aides cannot.  Students love being able to bring their devices from home or check them out from school to have during class.  If used appropriately having such things available can prove to be helpful.  Allowing students to blog, create podcasts, and other types of global learning are a few ways for them to interact with the class as a whole or students in other places across the world.  

Having easy access to the internet makes it easier for the student to be able to and want to research topics that they would otherwise lose interest in before making it to the library.  Kids learn convenience at early ages now and it makes a world of difference when trying to gain and keep their attention.   It is true that it is hard to monitor what the students are seeing and doing when it comes to the internet but it can be done.  Students are eager to be engaged and it is up to us as educators to make sure that it happens.

The following link take you to a YouTube video called "The Networked Student" that I thought was really cute and interesting: