21st Century Skills--Teaching the Future

As teachers, we need to stay as constant as possible with the digital nation/world because of the never ending technology breakthroughs and innovations. Constantly, we are surprised by yet another invention, but then we must choose whether or not to incorporate it into the classroom. The obvious answer (for current education grad students--not necessarily for seasoned teachers) is: do research, be creative, use the invention yourself and find a way, make a way, because if the kids are using it, which we know they are or will be soon, we need to use it in the classroom. Our teachings must be relevant, and the most important relevancy of today's digital generation is to integrate technology into the curriculum and classroom (yes, that's the name of our class!).

As I was reading Regan's article, I just kept saying over and over in my head "Of course, of course." In this course I have learned so much about not just adding technology in some of my lesson plans, but how to really use it; integrate it. There are a plethora of amazing websites, programs, and games out there and it is a matter of finding ways to make your lesson around it, of having students explore for themselves and really participate in the learning. By doing this, students are so much more motivated and of course, they learn so much more because the material is real.

Unfortunately, a point made in the MIT article, few schools have made progressions to stay up to date with 21st century skills. There needs to be a massive change, however, there are disagreements on how to best change these schools. Not only the failing schools need to be up to par with newer technologies, but all schools do. All students should have the right to an equal and just education, with similar resources and the opportunity to be on the same level with other students once they have graduated from high school. I really do hope that there is a systematic change and that across the board, schools will give students these opportunities. I know I will fight for it in my own school, but it is important that it reaches a national level of awareness and that something is done for the better.