Entry written by: Jannessa Hilliard  Topic: Teaching 21st Century Learners

     As we all know, technology is the future.  Chapter 1 of our textbook states, "The generation of students in our classrooms today is the first to have grown with digital tools at their fingertips.... When they go to work in the future, it will be in an environment where reliance on technology is a given and the skills the need are the ability to adapt, learn new skills, and work in ever-changing teams depending on purpose."  (Solomon, 1).  We are teaching students who in the 21st century have been imersed in and grow up with technology all around them.  As educators it is our responsiblity to provide our students the tools to succeed in a technology-driven workforce and culture.  We must teach them the skills they need to succeed even in the technology world.  But is technology in the classroom a good thing? And if so, how much technology is too much and exactly how much will technology infiltrate and impact our classroom lives as teachers? 
     As teachers we are left with an important decision to make.  Will we change with the new times of technology, or will we stick to traditional methods of teaching?  I personal think we need to adapt our methods of teaching to fit and prepare our students for their futures in a very techonological world.  Along with equipping them for the future, technology can much enhance our classroom learning and open the door to experiences students may not ever get to experience without digital advances.  Our author states in the introduction, "Using the tools that students find appealing can make a difference in their learning now and help them prepare for the future.  Students can interact with information, create knowledge, and then communicate the results to a real audience." (Solomon, 1) 
    Technology can be a powerful tool for learning in our classrooms.  As a result of students growing up in a technologically-driven world they are very visual learners.  Technology can provide unlimited visual supports to enhance your learning.  For example, class websites provide students and parents with accessible, free, up-to-date information regarding up-coming events.  Another such example would be class blogs.  Both at the Elementary and Secondary level, kids need to discuss, analyze, debate, and reflect on materials given, and blogging is an interactive tool to do such a practice from anywhere.  One example I really like is the ability to Skype in experts to talk to your students about a current issue or topic.  For example, if you are teaching a history unit on the Vietnam War, you could Skpe in a war veteran to give your students a real-life testimonial about what really went on.  Their are also online interactive games and science experiments that could further kids learning.  I learned Spanish through an online interactive program and it was amazing.  The possibilities for technology in the classroom are endless and their is no reason to deny our students all the oppurtunities technology provides for them.
    Once again, I think we as teachers must absolutely provide our students the ability to learn and excel in learning through technology.  However, just as it is with anything, I do think moderation is needed when it comes to technology in the classroom.  Classrooms should absolutely utilize the technological tools out their for teachers and students, however, they should not be solely dependent on technology. Technology should be used to enhance the learning already going on, not take the place of or cause distraction away from that learning.  Technology in the classroom is key because our students have grown up, consumed, and mastered technology.  It is our job to reach them from the digital world to help them learn and prepare them for their futures!


*** Check out these videos that remind us of the importance of using technology in our future classrooms.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A-ZVCjfWf8