Digital Teaching, Learning, and Environments
In the simulation below, you have been assigned to a task force responsible for developing a school district-wide technology plan. You will take the roles of elementary, secondary, or administrative personnel. Before we meet as a task force, you and your peers must possess a rich understanding of the characteristics of 21st century learning, including teachers, students, and environments. You will be working in groups to explore information pertinent to your future career placement. For example, if you wish to teach early elementary aged students, you should explore websites, blogs, and other resources that explicitly address children aged 5-10ish.
I have given you a few resources, but you'll need to move past them to get a fuller understanding of the types of learning that fall under the category of digital learning. You should create a product demonstrating how you investigated the three components (teachers, students, environments) creating a product of your own choosing (i.e. a KWL chart, an online Venn diagram, or a graphic organizer). You and your group should choose the product that best fits your needs.
I have given you a few resources, but you'll need to move past them to get a fuller understanding of the types of learning that fall under the category of digital learning. You should create a product demonstrating how you investigated the three components (teachers, students, environments) creating a product of your own choosing (i.e. a KWL chart, an online Venn diagram, or a graphic organizer). You and your group should choose the product that best fits your needs.
Simulation Activity- District Technology Task Force
Your superintendent is interested in applying for a major grant to transform learning in your school district. Before the superintendent can apply for the grant, she needs to meet with her faculty and administration to see their vision of a 21st century education. You will role play one of two groups within this simulation.
Most of you will play the part of "teachers," who are individuals very eager to incorporate all of the possibilities of digital technology into the everyday fabric of the school. Before you can role play, you will need to research (based on your content/grade level) answers to three major questions:
Research and debate from the perspective of your assigned task. Feel free to use text or web support to bolster your side. You will then report to the task force as we collectively create our 21st century technology vision.
Most of you will play the part of "teachers," who are individuals very eager to incorporate all of the possibilities of digital technology into the everyday fabric of the school. Before you can role play, you will need to research (based on your content/grade level) answers to three major questions:
- What do 21st century learning environment look like?
- What are 21st century students like?
- What are 21st century teachers like?
Research and debate from the perspective of your assigned task. Feel free to use text or web support to bolster your side. You will then report to the task force as we collectively create our 21st century technology vision.
The Digital Student
How do students use digital technology? What are 21st century students like?
Student Technology Standards
The ISTE-S standards describe the skills and knowledge that students should possess in order to be successful in our increasingly digital world. You should look at these first (and link to them in your blog) to frame your understanding of your learners' characteristics. What do these standards look like at your grade level?
The ISTE-S standards describe the skills and knowledge that students should possess in order to be successful in our increasingly digital world. You should look at these first (and link to them in your blog) to frame your understanding of your learners' characteristics. What do these standards look like at your grade level?
The Digital Teacher
Why is it important to change instructional strategies? How has computer technology changed the way people teach and learn? How do teachers and students use technology differently?
20 Digital Skills Every Teacher Should Have
Skills are the things that are necessary to perform a particular task. Which skills do you already possess? Which skills seem most appropriate to your future students' developmental levels?
Why is it important to change instructional strategies? How has computer technology changed the way people teach and learn? How do teachers and students use technology differently?
20 Digital Skills Every Teacher Should Have
Skills are the things that are necessary to perform a particular task. Which skills do you already possess? Which skills seem most appropriate to your future students' developmental levels?
Technology Standards for Teachers
Teachers are expected to be competent in the the use of technology in their teaching. This competency becomes especially important when working with digital learners: teachers not only need to USE technology effectively in their pedagogy, but also need to guide student to use technology to enhance their own learning. All teachers have five basic guidelines to follow for digital teaching competency. These five guidelines used to be called the NETS-T but are now known as the International Society of Technology Education Standards for Teachers (ISTE Standards-T).
Teachers are expected to be competent in the the use of technology in their teaching. This competency becomes especially important when working with digital learners: teachers not only need to USE technology effectively in their pedagogy, but also need to guide student to use technology to enhance their own learning. All teachers have five basic guidelines to follow for digital teaching competency. These five guidelines used to be called the NETS-T but are now known as the International Society of Technology Education Standards for Teachers (ISTE Standards-T).
Relevance and Active Learning
One approach is to allow students to self-select their own technology projects. While you are watching this video clip, think about how this approach might foster student initiative in the classroom. What teacher moves are necessary to ensure this approach is successful?
One approach is to allow students to self-select their own technology projects. While you are watching this video clip, think about how this approach might foster student initiative in the classroom. What teacher moves are necessary to ensure this approach is successful?
Digital Learning Environments
How would you describe the status of technology use in today's PreK-12 schools? How might this differ from a 21st century learning environment?
How would you describe the status of technology use in today's PreK-12 schools? How might this differ from a 21st century learning environment?
Bob Pearlman is a noted author, thinker, and visionary of technology in education. You may want to skim his article titled Designing New Learning Environments to Support 21st Century Skills to see examples of how digital learning environments differ from traditional classrooms.