Eclectic Technology

How do we prepare students for 21st century learning? The Common Core Standards call for "more rigor, complex reasoning, problem solving, and critical thinking than traditional learning." How do we teach so that students meet these new standards? What professional development will need to be done so that teachers may provides their students with the necessary skills? As the titleof the article states, "How do we prepare students for compelex futures?"

The post looks at a variety of materials that discuss skills and strategies that one might consider. In 2008 Tony Wagner suggested 7 areas that were critical for students to learn:

* Problem-solving and critical thinking

* Collaboration across networks and leading by influence

* Agility and adaptability

* Initiative and entrepreneurship

* Effective written and oral communication

* Accessing and analyzing information

* Curiosity and imagination

Materials from David Conley regarding "key cognitive strategies", Costa and Kallick and habits of mind, and other dispositions are also discussed.

The last section of the post looks at "a new paradigm: on-going, formative, self-assessment."

 

"Students are currently enjoying the last gasps of summertime in most countries right now. They’re outside, engaging in social activities, and constantly on the move. So what would happen if these students were thrown into a slow-moving and old-fashioned classroom? The students would get distracted, disconnected, and feel lost.'

This post explores the term "digital native" and has a short video that may get you "more excited about engaging active learners."  

Do not tell me
You do not have time.
You cannot complete the assignment
Or come to training
Or take a course
Or read a blog
Or expand your own learning
Because . . .

 

Tim Holt has written a poem that "recounts many of the “excuses” he’s heard from teachers about why they can’t more fully engage in shifting their instruction to meet the needs of 21st century learners. He reminds teachers that they’d likely not accept a similar explanation from their own students." 

 

Take the time to also read the comments below the poem.

 

Quoted material below the poem is from

http://plpnetwork.com/2012/04/18/do-not-tell-me-you-do-not-have-time-to-meet-the-needs-of-21st-century-learners ;

Are you looking for videos to use for presentations and lessons related to technology and media literacy? If so, this wiki may lead you to some great resources. The videos are divided into the following categories: 

* Conversation Starters

* 21st Century Learning

* Copyright, Copyleft & Remix/Mashup Culture

* Influence of Media on Society

* History of Technology & Media

* Social Networks & Identity

* Mashups, Stop Motion, Animation & Short Films

* Public Service Announcements & Political Messages

* Cyberbullying & Internet Safety

* Documentaries

The site does state that "these videos are of varying quality, cross several genres, and are of varied suitability for classroom use." 

From cell phone and video games to Facebook and YouTube, digital media are changing the way young people play and socialize in the 21st century. In this vide...

Are you looking for some new ideas for icebreakers with your students this year? Here are 10 icebreakers that use technology. Begin your school year with an activity that greets the student as a 21st century learner.

Quoting from Zac:

On the first day of English class our teacher said something along the lines of "we use iPads and technology a great deal in this class." I was ecstatic about this and couldn't help but think to myself: "Awesome, this (English class) should be easy enough."

I couldn't bring myself to take the concept of using technology in the class seriously--more than likely because I've been taught all of my life that technology is not meant for the clasroom..."

Read on for some insights from Zac, as well as some responses from his teacher! 

College was designed to prepare students for a 20th-century economy, and it’s not catching up fast enough to the realities of the modern world. How can we overhaul the entire system?

A 9 year old boy - who built an elaborate cardboard arcade inside his dad's used auto part store - is about to have the best day of his life.

Creativity, inspiration, design...this nine year old follows his passion...with support from his father!

We are living in a historical moment of transformation and realignment in the creation and sharing of knowledge, in social, political and economic life, and in global connectedness. There is wide agreement that we need new models of education suited to this historic moment, and not simply new models of schooling, but entirely new visions of learning better suited to the increasing complexity, connectivity, and velocity of our new knowledge society...for more info go to http://connectedlearning.tv