#learningthroughtechnology

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21st Century Learning and Innovative Environments - Final Thoughts

...for now!

Through this e-portfolio assignment, I have learned that there can’t just be one way to look at future learning - it’s not just about the technology, or just about the fancy furniture - its about a whole change where everyone is up for the challenge to work together for the student’s future. As I looked for resources for this blog, I was faced with different types of learning and approaches to the current and upcoming new era.

I am not saying one is better than the other or any of them are wrong but I believe that at the end of the day, as educators, we need to pick and choose the appropriate times when to use technology, when collaboration is needed, or when attention needs to be on us. Yes, the point is not to be teacher-led, teacher-first but we should remember not to just drop our position as the educator, supporting the children’s learning.

Education and learning should definitely come before technology, making sure that the current curriculum is what is best for each student, whether brain-, inquiry-, project-based etc. If we invest not only in technology but the learning spaces as well, then we can definitely bring out the best in our students and find the talents and strengths they may not have found in traditionally constructed curriculum.

For the future of public school boards’ curriculum, I think they should be reconstructed to fit the new generations that have been growing up surrounded by technology and radical thinking. Taking inspiration from current research, 21st century learning spaces/environments and directly from the children’s opinions/voices I believe as community of educators, caregivers, and role models we can jump on this new and positive change!

I definitely think as the educators need to listen to the students’ voices more often - after all we’re trying to build skills for their future.

To end it off with a quote I grew to love throughout this process, we need to never forget to involve the students of all ages/grades! After all, it is the people creating and using the spaces that create the overall atmosphere of the environment. 

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(via YouTube - Paul Hamilton)

“This video reflects how integrating technology within classroom practices can be of great advantages. In this technology driven world, the video depicts how technology can make changes that can help transform the idea of education.“ -Priyanka Gupta, from here

More and more schools are investing in technology and bringing these new devices into the classrooms but how are they being used? As educators, we need to realize how we can utilize these tools appropriately and not just aimlessly put them out for children to play on. Our schools are slowly turning to 21st century learning and enhancing students’ 21st century skills - and our educators need to realize they need to constantly enhance their professional development too, in order to practice their own 21st century skills and collaborate with other professionals in how they can utilize these technological tools proficiently.

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Turning coding into a core requirement could eventually pull more women and people of color into those classes at a younger age.

After mentioning this article to my friend studying int he field of engineering, he thinks it should be added, agreeing that there are majority white males in coding. If we consider placing coding into schools, then I think we can get more people, such as females, to consider going into engineering after high school. In addition, it can get more people taking some type of mathematics further into their high school education.

This relates to 21st century learning as coding can be part of the curriculum - creating projects involving coding and collaboration. With that, student may be able to also create an online platform that can be the new student hub in the online world, after collaborating with educators and other students - this can be an idea for a final project in high school.

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Inspiration edtech speaker at edtech conferences. Ipad tutorials for teachers. Created by Paul Hamilton.

This links to a blog post by Paul Hamilton that talks about an iPad Resource for educators! He points out that so many schools have invested in iPads without investing in teacher Professional Development (using the learning tool effectively). I agree as I have seen iPads being used during previous placements as a student teacher in kindergarten classrooms - playing a game with healthy fruits but didn’t seem to have an authentic educational value.

This iPad Monthly Newsletter is “a quick, cost effective way of providing practical ways of integrating these powerful tools into the classroom.” Authored by Paul Hamilton, he states: “I think for a small fee, the iPad Monthly is a good investment in utilizing this powerful device to its full potential.”

Check out more information about iPad Monthly here! More information about Paul Hamilton here!

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An online paper by The North American Council for Online Learning and the Partnership for 21st Century Skills. It explains what ‘virtual schools’ are, why they are important, and how they are tied to 21st Century Outcomes/Skills. Although they are based in the U.S., I believe the information can still connect with other areas.

“Online learning through virtual schools is one of the most important advancements transforming education in the U.S.  It is imperative that 21stcentury skills be incorporated into the design, delivery and implementation of virtual schools.  By expanding access to high quality, rigorous academic courses teaching 21st century skills, we can expand the opportunities for all students.“ -p21.org