21st Century Learning

The point of the video, Mr.Dancealot, was to show that certain subjects cannot be taught by lecturing and showing slides alone. In this case, a ballroom dancing class needs to be hands on to gain the experience needed to successfully do what is expected of you in the course. In the video, at the end of the course the students had no clue what to do. They had no practice, therefore that did not know what to do. The author made his point that classes need to be taught by practicing and doing rather than just listening to someone lecture for hours about the subject. This is true. When it comes to actually knowing how to do something, you have to do it yourself and figure it out. The saying is practice makes perfect. You cannot really learn by watching someone who already knows what they are doing.

Teaching in the 21st Century:

Kevin Roberts believes that teaching in the 21st century is completely different than before. Teachers are not the only source for knowledge anymore. Students are able to get information many different ways using technology. The role of teachers in the 21st century is to filter the information and teach students what to do with the information that they find.

I feel like Roberts view of the role of a teacher in the 21st century is accurate. I can see this becoming more of a reality with today's students. They have so many resources right at their finger tips; with their computers, cellphones, iPads, and more. They need teachers that help guide them and challenge them to use the information given to them wisely, professionally, and how to apply it to their lives.

If Roberts is correct, I as a teacher would make sure that I gave my students the tools to use the resources that they have properly. I would need to use more technology in the classroom than my teachers used in elementary school, not only for my benefit, but because this is how students learn now. They are used to having computers, TVs, cellphones, and if that's what keeps their attention then that's what should be used to teach them in the classroom.

The Networked Student:

Why do Networked students even need a teacher? According to the video , the teacher is there to help the student build his network and take advantage of these opportunities, she offers guidance, shows them how to properly ask for advice from experts, how to differentiate from good information and propaganda, and helps organize information. The teacher hopes that her student will maintain his learning network and to use it to navigate his future and solve the world's problems.

This is a great way to help students become successful. They work on their own, using their resources, to find information. Teachers are there to help them along the way. Answering questions, giving advice, offering their support. Just because students can find information on their own doesn't mean they know what to do with it. The teacher still plays a vital role in the life of the student.

Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts:

Vicki Davis is a teacher who uses technology of all sorts to teach her students. Her goal is to create a different kind of learning environment to empower her students. She is using a technique that allows students to learn from and communicate with other students around the world. This is a wonderful way to teach students. Communicating with other students from around the world is a great way for students to learn about other cultures and see how other people live. This kind of class will also help them with other classes that they take. They will be advanced in using technology and be able to use their knowledge to find information they need to complete a project. As Davis says in the video, students learn in different ways. If she just used paper and pencils, that would not benefit the students who are more hands on or visual learners.

Who is ahead in the learning race? Well, I will have to say elementary students at Baldwin County schools are definitely ahead in 21st century learning. The way I was taught and the way they are being taught are totally different. I was taught by teachers, my main source for information. They are basically teaching themselves using technology, with the guidance of teachers. This is a wonderful thing. Students are able to learn so much more and this will benefit in the long run. I wish Mobile County would convert to this way of teaching. I would love to teach this way. Kids today learn differently and technology should be used more in every school.

Flipping the Classroom:

Flipping the classroom is new to me, but I love the idea. What a great way to keep the students interested in learning and doing their homework. Instead of just sending kids home with a worksheet to bring back to class, they can practice problems and come up with questions to ask the next day. This way of teaching seems like it would be very successful to allow more time for teaching during the day and addressing the problems that students have. I love the fact that the students can watch a video of their teacher giving instruction, so the teacher can spend more time during the day doing activities with the students.