21st century skills

Technology is not what it used to be when I was growing up. It has become a necessity in our lives, and in the lives of our students. They are growing up in an era where they will skills for their future jobs that perhaps when I was growing up wasn't necessary. Teachers need to keep in mind this and incorporate it in not only their lessons, but the culture of their class. We need to let students explore other realms of learning. We also need to eel in mind that everyone has different learning styles, and that a textbooks don't offer that hands on experience that will remain with them forever.

The use of technology can only enrich and make the students' learning more meaningful. Although Bob Regan (2008) mentions that @1st Century Skills suggests, that teachers need to be teaching different skills such as " Information, media literacy, and communication skills; Thinking and problem-solving; Interpersonal, collaborative, and self-direction skills; Global awareness; Economic and business literacy, including entrepreneurial skills; Civic literacy" I belief that we should still teach what we are teaching now and incorporate these suggested skills. Students should be made aware of all of the skills mentioned above, but at the same time they still need the academic skills to make that are being taught in school now.

If a student has the necessary 21st century skills and the regular academic skills being implemented by schools now. Then this student is worth more than a student who has only limited set of skills. We want our students to be prepare for the future, but at the same time we want them to be well rounded and engage in all sorts of topics. As teachers we need to use our discretion and think about what is going to work for our students without limiting them.

Technology tools

Many teachers become overwhelm and reject a method they are not familiar with. According to Klopfer's article "these technologies don't just help us teach the old stuff in new ways- they can also help us teach the new stuff in new ways" (p4). In other words we should embrace them because they'll help us teach in ways that are more meaningful to the students. Students are very familiar with many technology tools. One that is used by most students and educators digital gaming.

There are many types of digital games that teachers have turned into educational tools. I find this to be a very powerful tool. This is a new method of education that will more than certainly engage the students. It makes learning fun and entertaining. children are oblivious at the fact that they are learning many skills that will help them, not only socially, but academically as well. These are long term skills that will help them as they get into the real world. Researchers have found that digital gaming gives student'
• The ability to process information very quickly;
• The ability to determine what is and is not of relevance to them;
• The ability to process information in parallel, at the same time and from a range of different sources;
• Familiarity with exploring information in a non-linear fashion;
• A tendency to access information in the first instance through imagery and then use text to clarify, ex- pand, and explore;
• Familiarity with non-geographically bounded networks of communication

There are many different sites teachers can access to find digital games that are suitable for the students that they have and for the different subjects they teach. With this generation, it is important to include, and teach, these technology tools because these are life long skills that will perhaps help them get a job. We should, as educators, embrace the new tools that are out there, and what better way to do it than with tools that our children will respond to in a positive way.

"what is it like where you live?"

As a teacher it is important to think outside the box when planning for a lesson. I find that sometimes that is hard to do. I often find myself trying to find new ways to make my lessons interactive, fun, and more student center. I sometimes run out of ideas. The Bob Coulter article reminded me that the best way to begin a unit or lesson is by creating rich experiences for the students. This is done by using hands on activities, relating the lessons to their world and using the student’s surrounding. Once the students feel confident they can then use the skills they have learned with new tools. Even though I agree with integrating technology in the classroom and into the lessons, I belief that it needs to be used in a careful well thought out way. Not as a means of entertainment. Technology can be fun to use and students should see it that way, but also as a source of meaningful information. A place where students can find games, but also find information about a certain topics they are exploring in a particular subject.
However, technology needs to be introduced by the classroom teacher as a resource. Only then can students value and use the tools in an appropriate way. In the past my school has viewed the use of technology as only using the smart-board to show a movie, listen to a book, and during computer time students play educational games that are sometimes too hard for their level. Fortunately this is changing. Teachers are being trained on how to integrate more technology into our curriculum. Teacher’s attitudes towards technology impact the use and view of technology by the students. To some it may mean more work to deal with, while others see it as a new learning opportunity, one that the students will benefit from.

Digital storytelling

Digital storytelling is a fast growing way of communication, but it goes deeper than just a social site. It’s an integration of technology and learning. It is also a way for children and adults to express themselves using all kinds of tools. They can do it through writing, video and include music. It’s a way to inspire writing in those children who lack the motivation to write. Children may feel at ease writing about something that is meaningful to them. Digital storytelling requires the storyteller to think deeply about what he wants to share. It’s a new way of teaching and incorporating technology in the curriculum. In this fast growing technology age children, especially younger children, need to be aware and introduce to technology. Story telling peeks the students’ interest because it’s something that they are creating as opposed to something that is given to by a teacher. It creates a visual and allows children, even the shy ones, to use their imagination in ways that they can relate. They are creating their own stories and because of this it becomes more meaningful and richer to them. The more I read about digital storytelling the more excited I become of introducing this new concept to my students. Not only do they create something that they’ll share with their friends and family, but it can be also be shared with the whole world.

Learning styles

When I think of different learning styles the idea of showing my students pictures and photographs pops into my head. To me, it means providing a visual for the students in order to make connections. Perhaps this is so because I’m a visual learner myself. The next thing that comes to mind is the idea of making it significant to them. I try to make a connection between what is being taught (context) and their surroundings in order to create experiences for them. However, the use of computer or digital media rarely crosses my mind.
I have come to realize that this generation of students has different learning styles and needs that we, as educators, need to meet and support. However, it is not a subject that can be taking lightly. It is not another website that children can go on and explore and do what they want. As the article explains it, it is a digital learning experience that needs to be interactive, student centered, it needs to be authentic for them, there needs to be collaboration, and it needs to be on demand, and we as educators need to introduce it and guide them in the right direction.
Although I agree and foster the idea of digital learning and belief that student can only benefit from it, I have to admit that I find it intimidating at times. Because there is so much information out there that can be useful, it can become overwhelming. This only leads me formulate different questions in my head such as which websites will be better for my students, how can I incorporate them in my lessons, or what type of resources could I use with my second grade class, among others. All these questions scare me. I want to be able to provide a safe digital learning experience where my students’ different learning styles are met. As I continue to explore and learn more about this new idea of digital learning, I will be introducing it to my students.