Blog (Xs and Os)

During the last three weeks I have learned that incorporating technology in a lesson is a must, not only when planning a lesson for my students, but also during my courses at Trinity. Some programs that can be used to engage 21^st century learners are Blogs; Prezi; Digital Storytelling; IMovie; Podcasts; Web 2.0; EPals; PowerPoint; Wordle, and Interactive Whiteboards. There are no excuses not to be able to engage 21^st learners, all of these programs can be used to teach any subject and are available for free.

After taking ED100 I have learned the importance of technology in a classroom and the latest programs that are available for teachers to be able to make a lesson fun while students learn. The new generation of students learns, engages, communicates, thinks, and interacts through technology so the use of it is a must. When using technology the right way you will allow students to not only learn, but also be engaged and motivated at all times. This class not only prepared me for Digital Native Learners, but also motivated me to always use technology in a lesson. It also allowed me to read articles, learn new programs and use them so I can learn for future use.

Interactive Whiteboards

Over the last few years, interactive whiteboards have become popular and more schools are integrating them into their classrooms. Interactive whiteboards are a great tool when teachers know how to use them. In a small study that was done, it showed a 16% point gain in students’ achievement. This is why teachers need to use interactive whiteboards more effectively. Some strategies that teachers should use are visuals that focus on the important information; organize information; and make small and meaningful segments with bullet points. In addition, teachers should stop to discuss correct or incorrect answers or listen to students opinions. In order to make whiteboards effective in the classroom teachers need to learn the basics. A smart board lesson needs to be well organized and be able to engage students. Some features that interactive whiteboards provide to engage students are pull-tabs; add extra interaction; drag to reveal; animate objects; games; create a theme and/or custom backgrounds for the lesson. Furthermore, with all the resources that are available for 21^st century education, there is no excuse for teachers to not be able to provide well thought out lessons with a whiteboard, all educators know that these new generations learn through technology, this is why teachers need to incorporate all sorts of technology in their lessons.

Digital Natives

Technology needs to be integrated in classrooms because this is the manner in which the generation of Digital Natives learns, engages, communicates, and interacts. This now leaves us as digital immigrants since we have to adapt to and learn the new technology. This is what makes our generation-digital immigrants wonder; how can we teach, what we are just learning ourselves? Digital natives think and process differently from what we are accustomed to. They like to multi-task, receive information fast, learn through technology, and prefer graphics. Since they learn differently, their experiences and their brain structure are different from ours. This leaves our students in the hands of “unintelligible foreigners” who still believe in old school teaching and sometimes have little appreciation for these new skills. Therefore, if we want to educate Digital Natives, we have to accept and change our perception in our tactics and content. We can do this by communicating in their language and style, but not forgetting our heritage. We, as educators need to change our tactics, content, and think of new innovative ways of how to teach this new generation. During my years of elementary and high school, we did not use computers us much as we do now. A typing class was required but that was as far as it went, and we used computers only to write papers. Our generation, the Digital Immigrants, can begin to use more strategies that can be used in a classroom which  incorporate technology in lessons, change lessons to attract and engage students; you can do this by creating games or using software.

21st Century Skills

21st century skills have turned this generation of students into what is known as “Digital Learners”. Twenty-first century learners spend an average of 30 hours a week using technology. Technology allows learners to express, communicate, think, analyze, evaluate, explore, and express themselves. Twenty-first century skills are not just a tool, they are the basic skills and an essential component of everyday life. Technology is the way students promote their creativity, learn, and most importantly engage. With the changing global economy, twenty-first century learners need to have the ability to adapt to change. In addition, the generation of 21^st century learners uses technology as their main source of communication.