21st Century Learners

"Wait, are you telling me that MySpace is NOT a website about planets?!"

  21st Century Learners

15th October, 2015

Will reflects on the children in classrooms today, their technology-rich environments and the impact this has had on the curriculum.  

 

In 2006 I started secondary school and was part of the laptop program. My shiny new ‘portable’ device was bulky and weighed the best part of a brick, but I didn’t care because I had my generous 256 megabyte USB. Jumping forward just nine years we can pick up a 16 gigabyte USB for around $10 (a storage increase of over 6000%). Technology advances exponentially and it is clear to see we are in the rapid growth stage when you consider computers double in capabilities every 18 months. 

 

So what does this have to do with PSTs, teaching and the 21st century classroom? Well, have you considered that the students you will teach in the near future were all born in the 2000’s or even the 2010’s? (I know, they were deprived of the glorious 90’s). What must be considered is the fact that students today are technology natives. The 90’s generation were the 1st generation of technology natives; they grew up and adapted to 21st century technology. Children today are 2nd or even 3rd ‘Net-generation’ and born into a world saturated with digital technology that enhances connectivity and accessibility. For some of us, this may mean accepting that little Johnny’s ICT skills are far superior to yours. 

 

So how can we prepare ourselves for such an environment? Whilst I find it astounding that my current course does not have a core unit solely devoted to the topic, I was fortunate enough to do an elective on technology in education. In an upcoming series of blog posts I hope to share some valuable insights I gained. One resource I would encourage you to start using (if not already) is Twitter. Twitter is an interconnected web of educational resources, ideas and experts. To get started I would suggest following some of these: 

@DLTVictoria  

@ipads4learning 

@misskyritsis 

@AusLessons 

@jjash 

@LeighGMurphy 

 

One of the general capabilities in the Australian Curriculum is Information and Communication Technology (ICT). This means ICT is a dimension that will be harnessed across all learning areas and as 21st century educators, it is our job to facilitate an environment where students can use ICT to: 

• Access, create and communicate information and ideas 
• Solve problems
• Work collaboratively

Furthermore, technology in education does not just exist for students. In the minefield of software and applications in the Education category, technology can also be used by teachers and parents to implement fresh approaches to feedback, assessment, planning, collaborating and communicating. 

To finish, I would like to pose a question: in what ways have you seen technology used in the classroom? Before you answer, exclude the obvious, overused and generalised answers of ‘Microsoft Word’, ‘PowerPoint’, ‘Interactive Whiteboard’ and ‘iPads’. What specific ways has the technology helped the student or teacher in the areas discussed and how did it shape them as 21st century learners?

- Will