Duncan, Laura
Jukes, I. (2013, June 18). What does 21st century learning look like in an elementary school? [Web log comment]. Retrieved from http://fluency21.com/blog/2013/06/18/what-does-21st-century-learning-look-like-in-an-elementary-school/?utm_source=Committed+Sardines&utm_campaign=deaddffec8-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f244ccc9d2-deaddffec8-188994535
The author notes that tech integration is often focused on high school and middle school settings but is an equally important topic for elementary schools. The article argues that teachers must emphasize Communication, Collaboration, Creativity and Critical Thinking to students, ensuring that students are actively participating in their education rather than "consuming passively." Technology has a big role in these goals, as it can connect students to each other and the outside world, to share and participate in the creation of ideas. Further, the author argues that technology allows students to learn according to their own needs and learning styles, rather than forcing students to all learn via one unchanging route; it allows for the differentiation of instruction. Thanks to the presence of technology, a fifth goal (in addition to the 4 C's listed above) is to get students producing and consuming content that provides a meaningful connection to the greater world.
The author provides a brief list of resources about teachers who have focused on this last goal, such as teacher blogs. He encourages the teacher to integrate his/her integration of technology instruction according to the availability of tech tools, the curriculum and the students' needs. Teachers are encouraged to enact a few small steps that won't break the bank, such as using just a couple tech tools for a couple subjects to get started. Further, teachers should make use of websites like Google, which provides a wealth of free tech services.
This is an inspiring little article about how to start thinking like a 21st century doer and helping your students to in that mindset, too. It offers some practical tips about implementing ideas in the classroom and also emphasizes the broader goals that teachers should keep in mind as they set their goals and directions.
As we create learning experiences collaboratively with teachers, these need to be featured in our Knowldeb Building Center room of the VLC. And, after the experience is over, it is archived as a record of our intervention into teaching and learning. I think this is THE most important element of the VLC. The class will have to remember to ask me about the Count on Learning initiative.
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