Technology+Integration+in+the+Classroom

A Very Brief Take on 21st Century Skills

You may have heard them all…21st Century Skills, Web 2.0, Digital Age, Information Literacy…but what does it all mean???

When the Internet was first developed the super highway took you to ‘read-only’ sites. The idea was that the Internet was going to be an information highway, but at first it began as a one-way street. People could search the Internet for information, but did very little contributing. This was Web 1.0 (Techies love attaching numbers to their programs. It gives it that ‘upgrade’ feel.). During the 1990’s and beyond we were becoming far more interactive with the technology, and we evolved into the Web 2.0 age. Then we began dealing with a new student body that ranged across the spectrum from the techno-terrified all the way to the millennials who fully immerse themselves in technology every chance they get. The students may range in technological expertise, but they have all discovered, at one time or another, that they need to know it, use it, and accept it. Technology is a rapidly changing field, but it is here to stay and continues to expand.

The first step is to educate ourselves and keep abreast of this ever-changing field, and the next step is to pass these tools onto our students. Trust me, they want it and they need it! New information literacy standards have been developed, but very often are ignored, not implemented or individuals are unaware of them. These standards are used to establish whether students are able to critically evaluate information, understand where to effectively seek information and can produce with multiple media. (Click Here to download a .pdf document of these standards.) The idea behind being information literate or possessing 21st century skills does not just mean we know how to use computers. It actually means we know how //and// when to use computers and when to use another resource. Many people think that everything can be found on the Internet (You will often find this with your millenial generation of students.). This is NOT the case. Just look at the South Bend Tribune. The stories are now posted on the Internet and they date from 1994 on. For anything before 1994 they will send information-seekers to the library to find it on microfiche (Sidebar: Librarians are great resources on the subject of information literacy and digital resources. Tell your students about this free resource!). Annette Lamb pointed out in her book //Building Treehouse for Learning// 4th Ed.:

Use a variety of information resources. Start with your textbooks, but then read a passage from a book, examine a photograph, or explore a web page…Information exploration environments allow students to locate, select, apply, synthesize, calculate, create and communicate information. It empowers learners by providing resources and tools needed for learning (44).

It becomes the case that we are not simply developing students that are 'learned,' but in fact are 'learners.' The new 21st century skills mean that we must become and develop students that are lifelong learners.

All of this does not always mean we have to turn to technology, but given the multiple intelligences and varying degrees of competencies among our students, technology can actually simplify our lessons for the students. The possibilities are truly endless in terms of what we can create and use with technology. Half the time the work is done for us.

= Activity 1-- Schoology Accounts and Discussion =

We will register (if we have not already) with Schoology and create discussion threads. The first discussion will be a response to this discussion about technology integration in the classroom. You have just now finished reading a short explanation from me about 21st Century Skills, but for those that like different formats please observe the following video, article and website tutorial about this topic.

When you have finished writing your response to the discussion thread--Questions, concerns, ways you have already used technology, ways you would like to use it--feel free. This community is all about supporting one another in this new endeavor. The concept is abstract, so tell us what you feel all of this means to you.

= A. Watch the videos "Future Classroom and Student Life" = media type="youtube" key="reLFdbjZYDI" width="560" height="315"

=and "Promethean Activpanel Touch Collaborative Learning Center"=

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= B. Read the article "The Basics of Blended Instruction" =

= C. Check out the following tutorial slideshare about "7 1/2 Habits of Highly Successful Lifelong Learners" = This tutorial offers some useful tips for not only accomplishing tasks/goals, but also how to become a lifelong learner. Access the Lifelong Learner Contract here.


 * A Briefing of Activity 1: **
 * After finishing the first activity you should have: **


 * ** Read about... **
 * ** Watched about... **
 * ** Studied about... **


 * Blended and lifelong learning. This is the information you will use in your first discussion thread on Schoology **


 * Click Here to move onto Activity 2. **