Concluding Assignment

What do we mean by the "21st Century Classroom?"

I would define the term “21^st Century Classroom” as the successful integration of technology into a learning environment. Note that I use the term “learning environment,” not “classroom.” Technological innovations have helped move learning out of the classroom and into any time or place where one has access to a computer and internet. In fact, many will argue that access to a game console can help foster learning and problem solving as well. There are endless ways that technology enhances the learning experience.

However, despite the learning environment no longer fettered to only within the confines of a classroom, teachers still have the opportunity to provide a foundation to help students, and even parents, understand how technology can be used to enhance education. We covered a myriad of academic tools that are available online, and free of charge, to use. Ranging from Diigo to Teachertube to Itunes U to Digital Citizenship and everything in between, these tools all have features that highlight learning and can be applied into life after school, which is what education is meant to prepare students for. With many corporations increasing the use of technology, the more students can know about going forward, the better off they will be. Even the aforementioned games can be used, something that many parents overlook. It’s a matter of teaching all parties how technology can help education.

Of course, it is not as simple as putting such tools into a classroom or giving them to students and their parents. One has to guide them in using such tools. Therefore, the teachers themselves must learn how to use them, emphasizing the idea of “lifelong learning.” Teachers cannot operate with a mindset of “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” Such is a shift in education that the teachers themselves must also be learners and open to new concepts and ideas. They can’t simply shut something out because they may be unfamiliar with it. Much like students should be encouraged to be open-minded and willing to learn, so should teachers in this technological age where innovations are constantly brought about. That mindset is an essential part of maximizing the potential the 21^st Century Classroom has to offer.

Even though I am far from an expert in using and understanding technology, I have been able to grasp many of the tools we have been introduced to in this course, showing that expertise in this field is not required. Far from it actually. So long as you’re willing to accept instruction from someone you know to be more knowledgeable, you can easily learn how to use them properly and quickly, especially if you take time on your own to understand what different features have to offer.

However, other machines, like Smartboards, require some coaching and a school and its district much work together to properly understand to successful implement them into a classroom. In those situations, it may be necessary to bring in an outsider to illustrate the various components and features of something, like a Smartboard. Such coaching may require additional funding (along with the costs of simply obtaining a Smartboard, if not multiple ones). However, speaking generally, many tools, especially on the internet, are available for no cost and relatively easy to understand, so long as one takes the necessary time to study them. Perhaps schools can set up a mentoring program to educate teachers about new technology and how to use it in a classroom in case some teachers are unfamiliar or hesitant. None of this innovation is going to go away. Even though there are issues with cost and availability, there can be ways to around them if teachers, schools, and school administrators work together to solve them.

How do we apply technology tools in a way so that we can more easily achieve meaningful teaching and learning in the 21st century?

Simply understanding a definition of “The 21^st Century Classroom” is only the beginning. They must be applied appropriately, with resolutions to nay issues that arise. We must contemplate how to resolve the challenges it brings. Even though it is assumed that all families can access a computer and the internet, that may not always be the case. Moreover, other technological tools may require machines that students may not have in their homes, meaning they have to go elsewhere to utilize them and complete any work that involves them. We have discussed at length whether the technological revolution is good or bad for schools, and the book “Rethinking Education in the Age of Technology” outlines all of the issues at hand. However, from my perspective, debating about whether it’s good or bad or trying to find ways to prevent schools from implementing new technology is not going to put a stop to such innovation, which is constantly changing and improving. Therefore, schools have an opportunity to implement such technology in their classrooms and curriculum.

Many point to funding and accessibility as a road block, but solutions can be had if they work hard enough and utilize other education outlets. For example, we discussed the spread of home schooling/tutors and Learning Centers. Even though traditional education seems to view these outlets as alternatives (or “enemies” in some cases) of schools, there is the possibility of combining resources with them to offer students the best educational experience possible. Even though there may be other solutions as well, that is just one example of how multiple educational institutions can pool their resources together to optimize education for students.

Technological innovation is forcing educators to be more creative about the manner in which they teach. No longer can they simply ignore technological tools, as their students will need to be familiar with them in order to be successful in the outside world, the biggest goal of the education system. The low cost (or no cost) and relative ease with which many tools can be accessed does make adapting them into a learning environment quite simple, though they are problems that will come about. Still, it is necessary to work through those issues and resolve them. Technological developments will continue on, and schools need to embrace them.