Classroom Is Not The Classroom Of Yesterday

Technology of the past 20 years has become a focal point of teaching and learning. As a teacher, it is my job to facilitate the learning for an individual by creating an environment that not only conducive for learning, but also places the child in a position to discover and learn them for themselves. Technology has given teachers to opportunity to take learning beyond the classroom, and has begun to reshape their role in the learning process.

Technology in the classroom is important for teachers, parents, and students alike, because technology use has become a necessary skill for survival in today’s vastly expanding technology driven global economy. Research has shown an increase in student’s success rates when exposed to technology in the classroom. Also technology has opened lines of communication between educators and parents to keep students on track, and help teachers educate better.

Students develop their general capabilities while participating in daily learning activities. Over time the general capabilities will support and enrich learning experiences and help bring a deeper understanding of subject matter.

The mission of the North Carolina State Board of Education is that every public school student will graduate from high school globally competitive for work and postsecondary education and prepared for life in the 21st century. The Partnership for 21st Century Skills developed a vision for 21st century student success in the new global economy. Mastery of core subjects and 21st century themes is essential for students in the 21st century. Core subjects include English, reading or language arts, world languages, arts, mathematics, economics, science, geography, history, government and civics. Students must be proficient in 21st century themes process life and career skills, learning and innovation skills, and information, media and technology skills.

Education no longer fits your parent's vision of the three R's. To be career and college ready should be the goal of every high school student today. Students must learn to read and gather information efficiently. This research proposal subject matter resulted directly from the fact my mother, her mother and her grandfather have all been educators. One could say education is in the bloodline. As a high school student, the effects of the controversial Common Core Standards are apparent and personal. For the community, as a whole, the Common Core, if successful, will permit students to enter college or a career adequately prepared. Thus, preparing a workforce that is competent and therefore, better equipped for available employment.

Public education in America needs reforms to adjust to today's fast paced, technology based society. "Changing Educational Paradigms Animation" by RSA Animate and "Reinventing Education for the 21st Century" by Tony Wanger, prompted me to wonder how does teaching problem solving and critical thinking skills in schools socially and economically benefit students? Both of these videos touched on critical thinking and problem-solving skills and their importance in educating today's work force, but Tony Wanger blew me away with High Tech High, a Sandiego high, middle, and elementary school dedicated to teaching problem solving skills to a wide range of students (Wanger). This school system was an excellent model of students working on their own to create, utilize problem solving skills, and display their hard work. This gave me the idea that we need to shift our education to focus on critical thinking and problem-solving skills to better benefit students entering the work force.

“How Are Educators Responding? The New Zealand Ministry of Education dines five key capabilities for living and lifelong learning listed as: Thinking, using language, symbols, and text Managing Self-Relating to others, and Participating and contributing” (Crockett). These required skills can also be found in Common Core. Common Core is what a student, K-12, should know in math and English language arts when they transition to each grade. These standards are frequently found in the college and career world worthless. There is a gap in between what college instructors want from their students because of what Common Core taught. College instructors, according to ACT Inc., found that students in middle and high schools are mainly summarizing author's ideas and analyzing source text, but college instructors want students who can “generate sound ideas - a skill applicable across much broader contexts” (Strauss). This is directly related to what 21st century student’s skills should be. “So, according to the folks we’ve asked, the consensus is that students need transparency-level skills in these areas: Problem solving, Creativity and, Analytic thinking, Collaboration, Communication and, Ethics, action, and accountability” (Strauss). Each particular skill has a reason for being on this list. Problem solving is for situations that we cannot conceive right now. In addition, those who are skilled in this area are more likely to not be watched by the higher up more than others. Creativity is something that Common Core diminishes. If you ask a student what creativity is most responses will be, “expression” or “uniqueness”. This is very important to the first skill because thinking outside the box can help find much better solutions. Collaboration and communication go hand-in-hand. Work forces of the future will all be connected through all

Technology can be found in every classroom of schools today and continues to grow as the field of technology continues to advance. School age children today know more about technology than most middle-aged adults because they have been exposed to it from such an early age. We live in the technology age and it’s clear that technology is here to stay and has permeated every area of our lives including home, work and leisure. Because of this, educators and school staff have been tech-savvy and must continue to keep up with the technological advances in order to present as competent to the student body. Technology has impacted the way our students learn and has provided avenues of learning to disabled students that they didn’t have in the past and has provided teaching staff with a multitude of resources and diversity in class activities to aid in teaching (Pearson, 2010). Without a doubt, technology will continue to impact our educational system as new technologies emerge and our country competes to keep up with a new globalized economy. Schools will implement these technologies into the

Students will encounter different views and ideas in a post-college world requiring them to use critical thinking skills they polish in college. Students come to college with many different backgrounds hoping to gain many new experiences to help them be successful in the world. In the elementary field, there are many different skills teachers hoping to teach students, so they are prepared for the post-academic world; they are called the 21st century skills. A few of them are collaboration, cultural education as well as problem solving. Collaboration is a skill that could help the student’s be successful in any career they strive for, but the skill would also help them interact with peers. Cultural education is extremely important when

Sarah Caldwell once quotes that “Learning everything you can, anytime you can, from anyone you can---there will always come a time when you will be grateful you did.” Most of us know that there is profound gap between the knowledge and skills most students learn in school and the knowledge and skill they need in typical 21st century communities and workplaces. The national organization identified as the Partnership for 21st century skills, comprised of both business and education leaders, and has identified the four (4) core competencies (C’s) of 21st century learning. These 4 ‘C is as follows:

Technology is everywhere, it is involved in almost every part of our culture. It affects how we live, work, play, and most importantly learn. With technology being such a fundamental part of our lives and growing each day, it only makes sense that schools incorporate technology in the classrooms. Even though many people support the use of technology in schools, there are those that have concerns about the effectiveness of technology and whether or not it undermines education to solely prepare students for the workforce. Despite the concerns, technology is being integrated with classroom lessons daily, and proving how beneficial it is for student success.

It is crucial that students are not just being educated in only one way. Each child is different; as a result, learning styles should be versatile and open to new strategies. By learning to use technology correctly, teachers are preparing themselves, and the students for the future by developing certain skills that will be essential in the 21st century. Besides developing the students’ technology skills, students will

As we navigate through the 21st century, technology in the classroom is becoming further predominant. iPads are replacing our textbooks, and we can research any desired topic on our smartphones. The impact that technology has had on today’s schools has been utterly momentous. Educators have now seen firsthand the numerous benefits of technology in the classroom. According to a study by IT Trade Association CompTIA, around 75 percent of educators have come to the conclusion that technology has a positive impact on the education process. Educators have also recognized the significance of developing these technological skills in students so they will be prepared to enter the workforce after they graduate (Cox). By incorporating technology in the classroom, teachers are setting our students up for a successful life outside of school. The increase of technology has even changed how teachers teach along with how

Students are given the opportunity to learn efficiently from educators that are diligently dedicated and knowledgeable of their profession. Incorporating programs that reflects one’s mission will ensure learning that is flourishing. 21st Century for example, is an educational organization that provides the required assets for educational opportunities to thrive. 21st Century defines its program through the Partnership for 21st Century Skills (2007) that advocates readiness for students by providing tools and resources that will readily prepare students to advance in the digital world. This gives the educator the opportunity to include various techniques of learning critical to global awareness.

The education world has been greatly influenced by rapidly changing technology and the increasing availability of information. Schools have advanced by leaps and bounds when it comes to incorporating technology into the learning environment, however, many more advances need to be made. In all areas of the country, educators are trying to help students keep up with technology, but there are more changes that are essential for preparing the next generation for the future.