Today’s students are “native speakers of technology, fluent in the digital language of computers, video games, and the internet” (Prensky, 2005). As educators, we still need to prepare our students for the future, but we need to develop learning activities where technology helps to support learning.
In order to be an effective teacher in the 21st century, a teacher needs to be a facilitator of learning, a user but not necessarily a master of technology, and a collaborator with other teachers and their students. “Teachers must begin to see themselves more as learners alongside their students” (Richardson, 2010). In addition, teachers need to recognize the way students learn and encourage students to be decision makers and take responsibility for their own learning. Teachers need to be willing to change from a teacher-centered to a learner-centered classroom.
This course has helped to develop my technology skills in the areas of blogs, wikis, and podcasts. By creating a wiki with other class members, I learned how I can collaborate with other teachers around the world. The course sparked a new interest to learn more technology tools to engage my students but also to deepen my knowledge of the purpose and benefits of Web 2.0 tools.
I can expand my knowledge of learning, teaching, and leading with technology by continuing my master’s program at Walden. In addition, I will continue to expose myself to technology, keep collaborating with other teachers, and be willing to make the necessary changes to engage my students and increase student achievement.
During the next two years, I would like to write a curriculum for my course where I can incorporate more 21st century skills to prepare students for the future. Although students get a touch of blogs, I would like to use a blog throughout the course along with wikis, podcasts, and other essential Web 2.0 tools. A second goal I have is to develop tasks that are collaborative and student-centered where students can take ownership of their learning.
In reviewing the checklist from week 1, I understand the need for students to design instructional activities that require student collaboration to accomplish a joint task. Another area to work toward is to enable students to take responsibility of their own learning by providing tools and resources that allow them to manage their own learning goals, plan learning strategies, and evaluate their progress and outcomes. A key for student success in the future is to be able to collaborate and work in a community to become critical thinkers of information.
References:
Prensky, M. (2005). Listen to the natives. Educational Leadership, 63(4), 8–13.
Richardson, W. (2008). Blogs, wikis, podcasts, and other powerful web tools for classrooms. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin
Richardson, W. (2008). Blogs, wikis, podcasts, and other powerful web tools for classrooms. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin
