The key components for 21st century schools and "learning beyond the test" can be summed up by Wesch, "All learning begins with a good question." As researchers looked for ways to improve student engagement, teachers were taught to begin with a good, strong essential question. Teachers were encouraged to use project-based learning. Now, educators must expand that group beyond the physical group to incorporate outside sources. Just as for this class we set up RSS feeds to learn new information and blog posts to reflect and share, so must our younger students be given the chance to ask, search, reflect, and share. "For then they will use personal learning environments to shift away from consuming info to students drawing connections from resources?" (Educause, 2009).
One of my favorite quotes from my superintendent, Alvin Wilbanks, is "Technology will not replace the teacher, but teachers that use technology will replace teachers that do not." Teachers need to let go of the control of providing information and teach students how to search and question and share information. I believe technology is a wonderful tool and a teacher is a wonderful reflection board and a course director. Good education requires a marriage between students, technology, information, and teachers. The 21st century is here - and I like it!
References
[Children on computers]. Retrieved October 11, 2009, from: Stock.xchng: http://www.sxc.hu/
"Good education requires a marriage between students, technology, information, and teachers. The 21st century is here - and I like it!" Me too:)! Great post!
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