21st Century Learning

Today's students are different from students of 30 years ago or even 15 years ago! As teachers we need to strive to meet our students where they are and give them the tools and strategies they need to grow and reach their potential. Students still learn the same way they always have, the teaching profession just has new labels and descriptions. Students have always learned in different ways and can be taught through a variety of different methods, only now teachers recognize this truth more and more. Students are different today since so many of them are immersed in technology unlike previous generations, including mine. I really agree with using scaffolding as a way of teaching and reaching today's learners, especially those familiar with online gaming. To play many of today's role-playing games, you have to first master basic skills before you are allowed to advance to the next level. Teaching should be similar to this. Marc Prensky, Dr. Judy Willis, and Dr. Jane M. Healy all are in agreement in this. Building upon prior knowledge as a stepping stone to acquiring new information and understanding is crucial for all students. This scaffolding can be done through a variety of techniques and strategies to address different learning styles.

An example would be teaching about the Renaissance. During a short lecture, maps, pictures of art and samples of music could be played to reach auditory and visual learners. In the computer lab students could engage in a web quest where they learn about daily life, the monarchy, and arts and sciences during that time. Students would be in groups and receive detailed information to help them find the information they need to complete the assignment. The groups could create their own presentation to share with the rest of the class. Students could also participate in simulations about the time period for further understanding and enlightenment. The teacher and students could work on a culminating project where they could come in period dress and prepare a skit to show other grades or put on a Renaissance Festival at the school.

This type of teaching unit covers Kinesthetic, Musical. Spatial, Interpersonal, as well as other Multiple Intelligences, it covers Bloom's and even has some of the 16 Habits of Mind. These kinds of lessons reinforces what students have learned and allows them to show their comprehension in a fun yet worthwhile way.

Technology helps myself and students to have quicker access to information as well as experiencing history in a way that was not possible before. With technology we can go on virtual field trips, interact with historical figures, and communicate through our class web page, wiki, and blog. All of this makes their time with me more interesting and engaging than if we had just textbooks alone. Even with just textbooks, I know I could still create in-class scenarios and simulations, but we would not be able to time travel like we can through the Internet.

As a society we are all impacted by the use of technology. How it impacts my students is up to me. I hope the impact will be meaningful and lead them to the enjoyment of learning about history and other people.