This is a duplicate post. I've posted it in my own blog as well.
We have been concentrating on the technology end of what 21st century skills mean for children and teachers alike. The piece that we haven't touched on so far is what it means for a global education. How can these skills help students be more global. We know that these skills, colaborating, communication and creating, are valuable skills to build within our own classroom walls, but what about beyond the four walls. We talked about the world being "flat", so how can we use these skills on a global level? We should seek out opportunities for our students to collaborate and communicate with classrooms across the country and across the seas. These opportunities will not present themselves easily, they need to be sought out by the teacher who is willing to put the extra effort into making these experiences meaningful for the students in front of them.
In a 21st Century classroom we should not notice the technology. It shouldn't be a special day that we got the laptop carts or the special lesson that uses the interactive whiteboard. These things should be blended into the daily routine in a manner that students don't see that it is something special. It should be like taking out their notebook. We need to become as comfortable with its potential and uses as we are with our text books and whiteboard markers. Students shouldn't notice technology happening in their classrooms. They don't use technology as a special treat in their lives outside of the classroom, it should be that seamless.
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I agree with Rebecca that global education is essential in the 21st century classroom. Teachers need to be reaching out to classrooms throughout the globe to enhance our learning and understanding for every student. For our students to participate in the global marketplace, they need an understanding of it.
ReplyDeleteI also like the concept of technology being just a part of the classroom like the notebook rather than the "special" day. My students were so excited today to use the laptop cart. It should just be a given that laptops are an option when it makes sense for the lesson or unit . I just wish it were seemless now because technology can be so frustrating. We have to plan so far ahead and then pray that it works properly and many of us do not have consistent access to the types of technology that we would like to incorporate into our curriculum.