It has only been a relatively short
time that schools have had access to technology and we are still learning how
best to apply it to the educational process. Richardson makes a strong case
that just using this new technology does not necessarily mean that it is
helping with the learning. In a world where the vast majority of our students
are engaged in social networks outside of school, there are few adults
available who are capable of helping them use those connections to learn. It is
therefore our responsibility as professional educators to embrace this new
medium and become proficient in the use of these new powerful tools.
In the past, problems, (social,
scientific or engineering), were largely solved by individuals working alone.
Going forward, most problems will be solved by teams of individuals connected
by networks that allow for the free flow of information. The same must be true
of education. It is no longer just the individual teacher that is dispensing
knowledge. True learning will only occur when the student has invested in his
or her own education and has access to multiple sources of information. It is
then the sharing of that information with their classmates that enables the
learners to become teachers. That’s the definition of collaborative learning
and that is what is meant by “twenty-first century skills”.
The tools discussed in this text
have been available for the past ten years or so but are only now beginning to
be applied to the learning process in a coordinated way. Blogging has become an
easy way to get your ideas and opinions published where anyone in the world can
see them. I think we should step back a moment and realize how amazing that is.
Then realize how this tool can be used as a way of sharing important
information. As teachers, we can facilitate that sharing by hosting our own
blog and guide (but not control) the learning.
At the risk of dating myself, I
remember when encyclopedias were our go-to reference for anything historical
or scientific. Now, we have wikis for reference and anyone can update them with
the latest information. Information is not static. It changes by the minute.
The wiki can be instantly updated to keep pace with dynamic events. This can be
useful as a learning tool for both research and for publishing the latest
information. Once again the teacher can be the guide and editor of the local
wiki. Once again it is the sharing of information that is the integral part of
the learning.
With the advent of smartphones and
tablet computers, access to this technology is becoming almost universal. We are just
beginning to realize the full potential of the network that connects our
students with the rest of the world. Teachers have an obligation to be a
guiding partner in helping our students make the right connections.
Update:
Update:
It is important to realize
that the development of the Next Generation
Science Standards (NGSS) is largely dependent
on the Science Framework for K-12 Science Education. At its core (this
framework) is a new vision of what science education should be. Among other
things, this framework expects students to learn a limited number of
disciplinary core ideas in the context of science and engineering and then be
able to use that information to ask questions, develop models, construct
explanations and engage in argument from evidence collected by research or
experimentation. Simply put, it’s no longer enough to know information
in isolation. You must be able to apply your content information to the eight
practices of science and engineering. Of the eight practices, the last
practice- Obtaining, evaluating and communicating of information necessitates
that students know how to use technology in a socially responsible way. Within
my school, we use Edmodo to allow students in the same class to share and help
each other as they work on activities and projects together. To gain a broader
perspective, I have been looking at the projects on ePals to bring together my
students with students from another state or country to collaborate and work on
projects. To do this they must first become good digital citizens of the world.
6 comments:
Connie,
This sounds like a very interesting book. Yes it totally seems aligned with 21st Century skills and I like the fact that the author points out that just because a class my be using technology, it does not necessarily mean it is helping students learn. I think about this a lot, especially now as i would like to incorporate a blog into my teaching but I question how can the blog add or be more effective than face to face discussion? I know it can be, I just have to find the proper assignment to support the blogs use, just because blogs can be great it does not mean it will always be the best way to discuss. I think a blog can lead to an incredible amount of collaboration but it has to be used appropriately.
Ken-I often ask myself the same question- "How can this be more effective than face to face discussion"-I think the answer is a combination between the amount of collaboration that is involved with blogging, but in my opinion also involves the "types of students" we are teaching. What I mean by this is that many students might not feel comfortable expressing their thoughts/opinions in the classroom- (face to face), but might be more comfortable expressing themselves behind the security of their computer. Is this a good thing? I can argue for both sides- the population of students that I work with have learning diabilities- and would be more confident I believe in having the ability to spell check, have their thoughts read back to them, and edit their thoughts, before sharing them with others. At the same time, will having this ability to "edit" before posting have a negative effect on the development of social skills for these students?
As with most everything, I believe that moderation is the key. We need to include technology when appropriate and effective. I am contemplating beginning a discussion board for a couple of the guided reading groups in my class. However, as Cassie said, when is it better to have a face to face discussion? Children have a variety of learning styles and preferences to sharing their learning. A child that gets nervous speaking in front of people on demand, probably would prefer to blog. A child that is weak in writing most likely would choose to have a verbal discussion. Do we allow children the choice?
This does not necessarily relate to the topic/book, but...
I think it is essential that administrators become familiar with the technology that is available to children and what can be used safely. I mentioned blogging and a discussion board to an administrator and he looked panic stricken. I felt that he was deterring me from the starting one because he was not overly familiar with the "teaching tool". He wanted to know if it was secure, how would we get quality answers. I thought back to what Tracy said in class, that we have to think of it the same as anything else... can I take a paper and pencil away because I am not sure how well they will do on their first try.
A plethora of changes are happening in all school as a result of the CCSS.
Sorry, hit publish too soon.
I think we need to embrace the changes, try new teaching strategies, and do the best we can.
@Connie:
I agree that technology is becoming universal and that teachers do have an obligation to be a guiding partner, with parents and students in helping the right connections be made. In turn, students can also be guiding partners by sharing what they have learned about computers and websites. I was thinking that it might be a neat idea to have students sign up to stay afterschool one day at your school and volunteer to teach other students, teachers and parents about how to use social media and educational sites in a positive and educational way. It would be great to have a technology director in charge of this activity to ensure that it is set up effectively and efficiently. I feel that it would be full circle for teachers to facilitate their own learning, by their own students.
I too asked myself that very same question. When is it more appropriate to have a face to face discussion? I think the answer is that we are still discovering what is the most effective use of the technology (blogging in this instance) and when it should be applied. It's a judgement call. Ultimately, we find out by trial and error. We record the results and share the outcomes with our colleagues so they have the benefit of our experience. I liked Alicia's observation that some students might find the blog an easier way to express themselves while others might find that their verbal skills are stronger than their writing skills. (Hosting a blog would bring that out.) But giving the student the choice on how to express themselves leads to more investment by the student in their education
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