(By Kelly W. Hines, Keeping Kids First)
I am sitting here at my laptop, occasionally watching my Skype and Tweetdeck notifications in case I miss something from a family member or colleague, and I’m going to honestly tell you that learning in the 21st century is not about the technology. Blasphemy! my tech-savvy friends are saying. Six months ago I might have agreed, but today I’m more than willing to stand by my words.
We are hearing more and more talk recently about what learning and teaching will look like in the 21st century. What do we need to bring us into the future? What will our children need to know and be able to do? The first thing to comes to everyone’s mind is technology. We need computers. We need ipods. We need wireless connectivity. We need 1:1 initiatives. We need blogs, wikis and podcasts. While I completely agree with the fact that these are innovative tools for teaching and learning, I do not agree that these are the first things we need to initiate change in our classrooms.
Before anything else, the educational community (including state and national organizations, teacher preparation programs, and local systems) must recognize the need to change an overall approach to teaching and learning. The tools mentioned earlier, like netbooks, 1:1 initiatives, and web 2.0 tools, will not be effective vehicles for instruction without an evolution in mindset. Here is a list of four things that every teacher must recognize in order to effectively and positively impact students in a new generation of learning.
1. Teachers must be learners. As teachers, most of us have completed a specialised teacher preparation program. We have passed a test of proficiency in basic educational theory and child psychology. We have demonstrated mastery of our own content areas. Think about the teachers in your building. The years that these teachers have exited these initial requirements span decades. If you put them all in one room, you will probably find that their experiences in these areas were very different. Yet, they are all teaching children today. Teachers today must be perpetual learners who are invested in their professions. We must be up to date on current trends, research and tools. We must know what our students are doing and where they are coming from when they enter our classrooms. This learning cannot just include mandated workshops and occasional required readings. Teachers who want to be truly succesful must be voracious and self-motivated in their pursuit of evoloving understanding.
2. Learning and Teaching are not the same thing. How many times have we heard a colleague say, “I don’t know why these kids don’t get it. I’ve taught it a hundred times.” I equate teaching and learning to a basic physics principle. If an object does not move, no matter how much force has been applied, no work has been done. Therefore, if a student has not learned, not matter how much effort has been exerted, no teaching has been done. Teaching in the 21st century is going to be about working smarter and not harder. It is not about adding to our proverbial plates. We must look at learning as the product of a successful day. Learning will not look the same to all students or all teachers, but it must be the goal.
3. Technology is useless without good teaching. We have countless technological tools at our disposable today. These tools range in cost from free to thousands and thousands of dollars. When we put innovative tools in the hands of innovative teachers, amazing things can happen. If you put these tools in the hands of teachers who are not willing to innovate, money has been wasted. There are arguments against spending the money on interactive whiteboards for classrooms. At approximately $5000 each, you would think these boards would facilitate better teaching. It is not about the board. It is about proper training and mindset of a teacher who is already willing and eager to do amazing things. The lack of comprehensive and curriculum-related professional development for teachers is why schools have thousands of computers that are being used as game systems and word processors.
4. Be a 21st Century Teacher without the technology. The Partnership for 21st Century Skills has published a framework for learning in the 21st century. The core outcomes for students include:
1. Core Subjects and 21st Century Themes
2. Learning and Innovation Skills
* Creativity and Innovation
* Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
* Communication and Collaboration
3. Information, Media and Technology Skills
* Information Literacy
* Media Literacy
* ICT Literacy
4. Life and Career Skills
Upon careful consideration, these are outcomes that can be achieved with little technology (excluding of course some components of the Information, Media and Technology Skills). If a teacher can find ways to prepare students with the capacity to be creative and innovative, those children will be well prepared to face the future. Teachers who customize the learning experiences of their students to involve critical thinking and problem solving are doing their students a greater favor than those who misuse technology as a means of facilitating learning. Those teachers who know how to foster communication and collaboration within their classrooms and school buildings are equipping their students with the abilities to apply these core skills to more areas in their own lives.
Now imagine a classroom where the teacher has embraced these principles. The teacher is a learner. The teacher teaches with learning in mind. 21st century skills are highlighted through facilitative leadership. These foundational components of a quality classroom experience will ensure that students value experiential and focused learning. Now if you take this teacher and introduce them to the wonders that technology offers for students, the possibilities are endless. But, it really is not about the technology.
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I agree, technology is a great tool but it is useless without someone that wants to use it. I read this for Dr. Strange's EDM 310 class and my blog is at http://daughtrykaylaedm310.blogspot.com/
Hello I am a student at the University of South Alabama and I was direct here by Dr. Strange. Im a student in his EDM 310 class. I really enjoyed this it gave some great ideals and motivation to become a great teacher. Thanks for sharing this you can also check out my comments from your post at: http//cookjeromeedm310.blogspot.com
My name is May Krasovich. I am a student at the Univ. of South Alabama and I read your post for Dr. Strange's EDM 310 class. I could not agree more when you said, "technology is useless without good teaching." This post was very helpful being that my major is elementary education. It had a great impact on me. You can find my comments on this post at http://kraovichmayedm310.blogspot.com/
Hi I am a student at the University of South Alabama and I read this as part of my assignment for Dr. Strange's EDM 310 class. My comments about your blog can be found on our class blog at http://WeldonAlexandriaedm310.blogspot.com
Kelly, I enjoyed reading your post. I found many of your points to be exactly what I was thinking! I read your post as an assignment for Dr. Strange's EDM 310 class at the University of South Alabama. I'm glad he assigned your post, it was very helpful. If you would like to read all of my comments, feel free to check out my class blog at http://germanylaurenedm310.blogspot.com.
I really enjoyed reading your post and it is very helpful information. I read your post as an assignment for Dr. Strange's EDM 310 class. If you would like to read my comments regarding your post, feel free to read them at my class blog at http://perkinskatherineedm310.blogspot.com/
Hi, My name is Jessica Eaton and I attend the University of South Alabama. I'm reading your blog as part of an assignment for Dr. Strange's EDM 310 class. My major is elementary education and I found your points very valuable, especially when you mentioned that there has been no teaching if the child does not understand the material. My comments on your blog can be found at http://eatonjessicaedm310.blogspot.com/
I am a student at University of South Alabama. I got the chance to read your post as an assignment for my EDM 310 class taught by Dr. Strange. I agree strongly with many of your ideas that you mentioned in your post. If you are interested in reading my comments about your post, please visit my class blog at http://bednorzpauletteedm310.blogspot.com
Hello,My name is Shawanda Bush and I a senior attending the University of South Alabama. My major is elementary education and reading your article as a assignment for Dr. Strange's EDM 310 class.I found that your article is very true. It seems as we are using technology as a facilitator for our children to learn instead of understanding what makes learning a success with or with out the use of technology.Please read my comment on your post on our class blog http://bushshawandaedm310.blogspot.com
im in edm310 at the university of south alabama. read my thoughts about this post on my blog at:
blackmansamedm310.blogspot.com
Hi Kelly, My name is Samantha Pate from the EDM 310 class with Dr. Strange and Sullivan. I agree like most of the other students that your post was very true and interesting. You can find more of my comments at http://patesamanthaedm310.blogspot.com/
Mrs. Hines,
http://sullivanamandaedm310.blogspot.com/2010/01/jan-24.html
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I was very challenged by your article and really enjoyed it. I attend the University of South Alabama and am taking EDM 310. For more of my thoughts on your article please read my blog!
Enjoyed reading your post. I also take edm310 under Dr. Strange at USA. Please read my comments at http://nappsandraedm310.blogspot.com
Hi, I am taking Dr.Strange's EDM310 class at the University of South Alabama. I enjoyed your post and you ideas very much. You can read the comments I wrote about your post at http://purvisjessicaedm310.blogspot.com
Hello Ms. Hines! My name is Tiffany Clark and I am a student in Dr. Strange's EDM 310 class at the University of South Alabama and I have found your post really interesting! My comments about your post can be found at my class blog:
http://ClarkTiffanyedm310.blogspot.com
I'm prepared to learn more technology for myself this semester than all past ones combined. This being said, I'm not ready to teach using the technologies I'm learning yet, but I will be. And I'm excited about it. My only hope is that others are like me and will be eager to advance their own skills as well. These kids need teachers who know what they're doing.
I read your blog as an assignment. I know Dr. Strange is particular in his assignment choosing, and he sure picked a good one. Thanks for your thoughts, I loved the point you made about learning will not look the same to everyone, but it should be the common goal. You may view my blog at longeneckerhollyedm310@blogspot.com
As part of an assignment for Dr. Strange's EDM310 class, I found your article to be very interesting and true. You may read my additional comments on your post at my class blog. MarshalJasmineedm310.blogspot.com
Hello Kelly,
I am a student at University of South Alabama, and I read your article for my EDM 310 class and I agree with the points you have made. To be an effective teacher you need to understand there are various ways of teaching and that though you are teaching a student something their comprehension may not be there. That is why I think the teachers who think that a teacher needs to discuss with the class their thought process and possibly aproach the lesson at a different veiw. If you would like to know more on my thoughts for your post please visit my blog at: http://heissbrittanyedm310.blogspot.com/
Hello Ms. Hines, My name is Sandra Stacey and I am also a student in Dr. Strange's Edm 310 class at the University of South Alabama and i have been required to read your post as part of an assignment and you can read my thoughts at my class blog: http://StaceySandraedm310.blogspot.com
Great point that you have made. My name is Lauren Walker and I am in Dr. Strange EDM class at the University of South Alabama. You can read my comment on my blog at http://walkerlaurenedm310.blogspot.com/.
Hello Ms. Hines, I found your article very interesting. I became aware of your article through Dr. John Strange's EDM 310 class at the University of South Alabama as part of an assignment.You may view my comments at http://craytonkedm310.blogspot.com. Be Blessed!
Ms. Hines, you have many interesting points about teaching and technology. Your post is an assignment for my EDM 310 class at Univ. of South Alabama. You may find my detailed comment on my blog http://jenniferchambersedm310.blogspot.com.
I am also doing an assignment for Dr. Strange's EDM 310 class. I absolutely loved what you said. I totally agree with all of your points. Technology should not be the backbone of our teaching, it should be a tool, an innovative way to teach. We should master our skills before we stick our students in front of screen.
http://meggymcdonald.blogspot.com/
Hey, I'm Tashley Gaines and a member of Dr. Strange's EDM 310 class at the University of South Alabama. I agree completely with your thoughts and ideas about technology and teaching. Teachers should teach. Computers are there to help not teach the lesson.
You have made some great points Mrs. Hines. My name is Marianne Lane and I am reading this as an assignment for Dr. Strange EDM 310 class at USA. You can read my comments on my class blog at http://lanemarianneedm310.blogspot.com/.
Hello, I am Cara Nobles. I am in Dr. Strange's EDM 310 class at South Alabama. I liked your view on technology. I do believe that it is not technology alone that makes a great teacher; it takes steps to make a teacher great. technology is just a tool to help. Thank you.
http://noblescaraedm310.blogspot.com/
Hello, I am a student in Dr. Strange's EDM 310 class. I really enjoyed reading your review I have written a Blog about it at http://williamsonkeesha310blogspot.com
Hello Ms. Hines,
As I was reading your blog, I was taking notes (w/pen and paper)for future reference. I am old school that way. What I underlined in my notes is that teachers MUST be perpetual learners. While I agree that technology can be an incredible teaching tool, I don't believe that technology alone will make a teacher great. I believe that technology is used as a babysitter all too often. We must be teachers of the 21st century without technology – teaching children to be creative, use there brains to solve problems, and COMMUNICATION skills have to be taught in order for children to thrive. Technology coupled with a teacher willing to learn and grow equals success!
Hi, my name is Penelope. I am in Dr. Stranges edm310 class at USA. I enjoyed reading your post about how technology is not what makes a good teacher but how the teacher chooses to utilize her surroundings. I do have to agree with you.
http://humenanskypenelopeedm310@blogspot.com
I have to say I am in complete agreement with you. Teachers should not be completely in the dark but should not purely rely on technology for teaching either. A "Golden Mean" so to speak should be implemented. I am of course a student of Dr. Strange's (not the Marvel super hero) class. See my blog for my comments: http://fredacarloedm310.blogspot.com/
Hi, My name is Lauren Reeves. I am in Dr. Stranges EDM310 class at USA. I really enjoyed Reading your Post. You can read my comments on my blog at http://reeveslauren310.blogspot.com/
This article was so good! I was required to read it for Dr. Strange's edm 310 class and I'm glad i did! to read more check out out my blog at reesecharlaedm310@blogspot.com
Hi, my name is Leigh Ankersen. I am in Dr. Strange's EDM310 class at the University of South Alabama. I could not agree with you more in your comment that "technology is useless without good teaching!" You can read more comments on my blog at ankersenleighedm310.blogspot.com
I couldn't agree with you more, there is no use in having all this technology in a classroom if the teacher isnt educated on how to use it and use it well. I am in Dr. Strange's edm 310 class, he had us read your post as one of our assignments and Im glad he did. I will be posting a blog about it at http://rogerslindsayedm310.blogspot.com if you are interested in reading it.
Ms. Hines, My name is Chelsie Funderburg. I am a student in Dr. Stranges EDM 310 class at USA. I can't say that I completely agree with your post, but it was interesting. It made me think. You can read my comments at http://funderburgchelsieedm310.blogspot.com/.
Ms. Hines, My name is Robyn Woodson. I am a student in Dr. Strange's EDM 310 class at the University of South Alabama. I agree with some of the points that you made in your post. You can read my comments at http://woodsonrobynedm310.blogspot.com/
Hey, I am a student at University of South Alabama, and I read this for my EDM 310 class. I enjoyed what you had to say, and I have further commented on it on my blog. http://millerjamielynnedm310.blogspot.com
I love this post and agree with it 110%! I am writing this for my EDM 310 class and have commented about in on my blog. http://mckinnellkellyedm310.blogspot.com/
Kelly McKinnell
My name is Tim Mai. I am a student at the Univeresity of South Alabama. I am currently taking EDM 310 for my education requirements. I really enjoyed reading your blog. Mine is located here.
http://maitimothyedm310.blogspot.com
My name is Alexandria Harper. I was assigned to read your blog for my EDM 310 class at the University of South Alabama. I further commented on my blog. http://harperalexandriaedm310.blogspot.com
Mrs. Kelly Hines I have read your post as part of an assignment for Dr. Strange's EDM 310 cas and that your comments can be found on my class blog at http://mcquieterlaurieledm310.blogspot.com
I have read this post for Dr. Strange's assignment as well. I believe it to be the single most enlightened thing I've read thus far in the class. I am thrilled that people still exist who hold the importance of good teachers over the importance of the almighty technology.
Please feel free to check out my blog post in response to this and other articles.
Greetings! I too am in EDM 310 with Dr. Strange, and I really enjoyed your post. I definitely think you could be on to something. I blogged about your post at http://www.arthurfarisedm310.blogspot.com if you are interested in reading it. Thanks again for your posts and thoughts. Keep it up!
Hello! I agree with you on many of the topics that you addressed in writing this. That as teachers we will need to work with technology and not ignore it or rely on it. I am in EDM 310 at the University of South Alabama and I will be blogging on your post. If you are interested in looking at it you can find it at http://www.andersonaliceedm310.blogspot.com. And thanks for the post, it was a very good one for me to read.
Hello! Kelly Hines. My name is Yulanda Miller Vanterpool. I am a student at the University of South Alabama.I am too enrolled in Dr. Strange EDM310 class. I have read your post. I found your thoughts to be informative. Bringing us back to basic knowledge which is our foundation of learning. They're other comments posted at: http://www.yulandamillervanterpooledm310.blogspot.com
Hello, Kelly Hines.My name is August Debyser, I am in EDM310 at the University Of South Alabama.I have read your post and my response can be found on my blog thank you vary much.
Mrs. Hines,
My name is Heather Love. I am one Dr. Strange's EDM310 students. I have read your blog and my response is on my blog at the following URL: http://loveheatheredm310.blogspot.com/
Hello, My name is Ingrid Welborn and I am one of Dr. Strange's many EDM 310 students. As you know, we were required to read your article and post our thoughts to our blog. Here is the URL to my blog and comments. I enjoyed it!
http://welborningridedm310.blogspot.com/
Hey Mrs. Kelly Hines! My name is Danielle Pitt, I am in EDM 310 for Dr. Strange as well as most of the others that have left you comments. I completely agree with what you have said. As teachers we should be willing to learn the best way to communicate with our students and not just say the same speech every year and expect the students to understand what we are saying. Technology should not be the base of what we build our teaching on and I think you have clearly stated that above. I think what was excellent, please visit my blog at http://pittdanielleedm310.blogspot.com.
Hello Mrs. Hines!
I enjoyed you comments, especially the point labeled "Teachers must be Learners". I am in Dr. Strange's EDM 310 class and have written another response on my blog that I would love for you to check out. My name is Rachel and this is my blog: http://mcguireracheledm310.blogspot.com/