Blog Post # 2

Blog Post # 2 What Will Teaching In The 21st Century Be Like?

Mr. Dancealot

In the YOUTUBE video, the teacher demonstrates his vast knowledge of the subject he has been teaching for twelve years; however, his students are at a loss when the time comes for them to demonstrate what they have learned. Teaching and learning has changed significantly through the years, a course on dancing should not and can not be effectively taught through rote memorization, as such is the case with many important subjects faced in education today. I agree with the central message of the video because it would be extremely difficult to learn without doing. The video reminds teachers to involve the students in the learning process. This is the most efficient method for delivering instruction.

Teaching In The 21st Century

After viewing the Kevin Roberts clip, I have a better understanding about the urgency for technology driven lessons and teaching and learning in the 21st century. Children today gather information instantaneously. The internet and social media are an ever-present source for unlimited use in the lives of children today. Teachers must integrate the use of technology and soon because societal consumption of digital media is growing rapidly. If content, facts, dates, formulas, research, theories, stories, information are the only thing teachers can provide, then our role in the lives of students is obsolete according to Roberts. A teacher must not simply deliver information but enable the student to discern how to receive and implement information to best equip them in this digital age. Honing higher order thinking skills are what teaching has evolved to, gone are the days when multiple choice testing will remain a sufficient basis for measuring knowledge.

I believe the way students are learning should evolve to parallel trends in technology and modern life, for if it lags so will our success as a nation. To ignore the ways of modern society would be shortchanging our students. People today can gain a wealth of knowledge in a split second; teachers are going to have to work at breakneck speed to keep up, or we will ultimately be the ones who are left behind.

The Networked Student

Wendy Drexler created a movie, where the question is asked: Why does he, the networked student, even need a teacher? The answer is the teacher is a person the student may use as a guide while navigating the abundance of digital resources available. Students are able to obtain information from around the world from credible sources about any topic exponentially. Teachers will be facilitators who teach students to evaluate, network, credit, integrate and problem solve while researching and learning. Teaching in the modern sense will be that of a mentor role, independent discovery will drive instruction, which is what maybe teaching should have been all along.

Harness Your Students’ Digital Smarts

Vicki Davis talks about student achievement in her short film titled Harness Your Students’ Digital Smarts. Davis speaks about how teaching should not be limited to pencil and paper because only certain students will succeed. The perspective Davis presents is one that should motivate teachers across the globe to connect to each other as well as the world stage because we are now a global economy as the world is growing more and more interconnected so should our teaching.

Flipping the classroom is a new concept to me, and I like the idea of providing instruction prior to the lesson. I personally have met many students who would benefit from this type of instruction. Background knowledge is so important when a student can make those connections to the lesson, they are more engaged and will follow along so much more than if they fall behind and become disinterested. As school systems integrate technology, lessons delivered in this manner will prove invaluable to those struggling students who will be afforded the opportunity to use technology and supplement their own education with lessons catered to their individual needs. This is an exciting time in education right now; I am thrilled I get to be a part of it.