Introduction to Instructional Design – 21st Century Skills
We are setting the stage for designing an interactive learning experience in these first few weeks of this course. Before the actual building of a product can begin, we need to start with an understanding of today’s learner.
The following reading is part of the three reports you are assigned to help ground you in understanding the role of technology and the 21st Century learner. And yes, each of you in this program is one – we seek to convey information in a more engaging manner for our students as well as for ourselves.
Click on the following link to download this framework from NCREL. This is the second of three studies we are using to provide a conceptual framework each person in the Ed Tech and Learning program must define and articulate as an educational professional.
I was able to relate to this article in many contexts. First, I am one of those “students” they characterized in the study. I began using the computer and internet in late elementary middle school. I remember hearing about computer stuff at school from other students and then using it. My mom still doesn’t know how to use the internet. In addition, I also relate to the figures about how rapidly computer/internet use is growing and how certain socioeconomic groups are lagging. I have taught in a class where students were able to navigate the computer without a lot of help from me. I am now teaching where very few of my students own a computer or are even sure how to navigate one. I agree with the article in that technology is extremely important for students if they are going to achieve at a higher level. I think working with technology is integral to help students with team building. Think how many times you have called a friend or colleague with a technology question that you both worked together on to answer. Technology is rapidly expanding that people must work together on it. I also agree that technology skills have a broader range. Technology helps teach you how to problem solve, rationalize, and think critically. I enjoyed reading this article because it took the use of technology out of generally context which is technology for the use of communication.
The schools should be the equalizer for all economic unfairness for our children. Regardless of social economic status, children should come to school are have the same opportunitites. The greatest divide is computer and technology assess. In an ideal world, school would be the place all students have the same equipment and assess and practice with technology. Sadly, this is not the case. I see money as the biggest challenge. I know teachers (even the most un techiee) would use the equipment if it was set up in their rooms. I work with teachers who have been teaching over 45 years and when the district made them accountable to email, they learned how. When the district demanded electronic reports (oh did they complain) but they learned how. When I insisted on wordprocessing everything instead of letting her scribble it out on paper and copy it for our grade level team. She finally learned how to use Word but the computer was right there and working in her room. If our schools want to teach 21st century skills, we need 21st century materials.
I can not leave my post as is…..
It is whiney.
Yes, we need money and materials but that is not a step forward.
We as teachers need to use the technology we do have to its fullest potential. That is a step forward. Last year I ended every email to my principal. I would like and LCD projector, please. This year, I have one!!! I can not expect it to be mounted into the ceiling and hooked to speakers if I do not prove its usefulness. Even if we are starting with something as simple as emailing parents or playing internet based games, we need to keep technology present in our classrooms.
I too can relate because I am an immigrant in the digital world. I was introduced to my first computer when I was 8 years old. I think I am on the fast track though because I do not every remember a time when I was with out computer access in my home since then. I have adapted and learned to speak the language and have come accustomed to the digital age. I send many nights after work not touching the television and if I do watch something it has been DVR’d and I don’t watch the whole program, usually fast forwarding it through most of the program. I use my laptop and PC a great deal, as well as my Zune (I know Lance I should have gotten the iPod) for uploading movies and music at my leisure. My kids use gaming programs on Play Station and even my 4 year old daughter has a children’s laptop learning system that she prefers to use rather than watching TV. I believe that I am ready I am only praying that the district that I teach at will be ready for me.
From Jeff
My observations, in my classroom environment up until the time I started this program, led me to believe that I was setting a good example for students. I was using technology and requiring PPT and keyboarded work, however, as the article implies I was stifling independent creativity and the free use of technology. I like the way the article balances tasks with understanding. I have since changed my ways and come over to the side of setting tech guidelines and allowing for a wider range of tech projects. I am also in the process of developing more visual representations and interactive digital pieces that can engage the minds and utilize the habits of today’s students. I am grateful to be part of the solution and not so much contributing to the problem.
As a 5th grade teacher, my students experience with the internet and other technology is not as great as it would be with older students. However, most of my students have significant experience with gaming, ipods and cell phones. it is here that I have noticed a gap between myself and students. I have recently jumped on the ipod bandwagon so I am just learning its capabilites and uses. As teachers, I feel we have to play “catch up” with certain technologies that our students have grown up using.
There is so much concern over teachers having the ability to meet the needs of today’s learners. Teachers are in the profession of educating yet it seems that many of them have forgotten the importance of learning. There are so many teachers out there who have given up on the idea of expanding their knowledge to better meet the needs of their students. How can a teacher expect students to learn what they are teaching when the teacher has given up on learning? I believe that even a teacher who has not grown up using technology will be effective as long as they make an effort to use it and take every given opportunity to learn more.
My experience with technology has not been great. I have been in two special ed classrooms in the public school and three special ed classes in non public schools, and since none of them are important to administrators as far as information technology is concerned. It seems that they are happy as long as we don’t get them in trouble.