Becoming a 21st Century Teacher

Thursday January 16, 2014

Chapter 1 - Becoming a 21^st Century Teacher

Focus Question: What are 21^st century skills and 21^st century technologies?

According to the Book, Transforming learning with new technologies, Twenty-first century skills are the knowledge and understandings that students will need to succeed in our highly technological information-based society. These skills are said to include “the ability to think critically, make informed judgments, solve complex problems, think creatively, communicate and collaborate with others, use information in innovative ways, and take responsibility for one’s personal and civic lives.” (Maloy, R. W., Verock-O, R. E., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. 2010). The same book defines Twenty-first Century technologies as inclusive of computers, websites, and Web 2.0 tools. Web 2.0 tools being highly interactive technologies with the potential of transform learning in schools; these include blogs, wikis, digital media creating and sharing technologies, and social networking and social bookmarking sites”. (Maloy, R. W., Verock-O, R. E., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. 2010).

The reality is that we are all a part of this technological whirlwind. We constantly relate to the computer, the internet, the gadgets, and other pieces of technology that help us to work faster and smarter. However, ‘the iGeneration’ of Technology users are often way ahead in their ability to manipulate and interact with these media. It is our duties as teachers to ensure that not only do we equip the minds of those entrusted in our care with Math English and Science, but that we create a level platform in our classroom environment so as to  prepare all our students for the world at large. It is important to note that not all are familiar with the technology; in fact, more white students are found to use computers and the internet than African-American and Hispanic students. African America, Hispanic and low-income youngsters according to the text mentioned, are less likely to have access to the latest high speed, highly interactive technologies. This lack of access to the newest tools creates a participation gap because students do not get exposure to the best that technology can provide for learning. That is an important reason for other teachers and I to equip ourselves through constant professional development in order to adequately train our students as technology has become quite dynamic.  

Tech Tool 1.1: Tablets

Among the Chapter’s Tech Tool links are Tablets, Smartphones, and Laptops. My personal favorite is the Tablet. I never leave home without my iPad, that is, until recently when it fell into water and broke my heart. Tablets are small and handy and more often than not, quite lightweight. Despite their size, they are very powerful machines that use touch-screen controls and provide internet access through a mobile network. Hands down, the best known tablet is Apple’s iPad, but of course there are others such as Amazon’s Kindle-fire. These tablets promote interactive learning as they run off apps which can be used for thousands of instructional purposes. In the classroom, they can be used to support learning in every subject, for research, and more. I was excited to learn that my five year old daughter, who is currently in Kindergarten, is teaching her peers how to manipulate certain apps on the iPad as they are used in that student led environment. She is very tech savvy and quite familiar with the tablet. In fact, I downloaded quite a few interactive educational apps on my personal iPad which my children found fun, interactive and educational. Because it is manageable and easy to manipulate, I feel that this device, handy enough for my five year old and three year old girls is a very useful tool for classes of various levels. It is our duty to make our classes interesting and interactive. What better way to do so as teachers, than to use devices such as tablets to engage our students’ interests, enhance learning and build suitable skills.

Summary & Connection

I found the introductory title quite inviting: Becoming a 21^st Century Teacher. We were reminded that students today can relate to the new technologies as these have become a part of the daily routine. The chapter highlighted the skills, talents and technologies essential for 21^st century teachers to create new and engaging learning experiences for students. The 21^st Century Teacher is expected to use technology to transform learning for students. Tech tools such as Tablets, Smartphones, and Laptops were highlighted. Teachers can incorporate computer technologies into three major parts of their professional work; It was stated that a key to making technology a substantive part of daily teaching is to think both technologically and educationally, thereby having a technology-based Library, Technology-Based Textbooks, Technology-Based Learning Environment, Technology-Based Teaching Tool, and a Technology-Based office. I particularly found the suggested strategies or learning new technologies interesting.

 This chapter reminds me a lot of my experiences in the last Public School System where I taught and I am anxious to build on my current knowledge of the use of technology in the classroom for my personal development. It is always best to keep up with new developments in one’s field and I look forward to learning more as this course unfolds.

Resources:

Maloy, R. W., Verock-O, R. E., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2010).Transforming learning with new technologies. Allyn & Bacon.