Justin A. Lowe
Intermediate-Senior:
21st Century Educator
21st Century Education
Education at the moment is extremely transformative. We are no longer in an era of textbooks, paper, and pencils, and our teaching pedagogies are required to be in constant development in order to cater to the engaging tools that our students need in a growing digital and technological world. Let's face it; there is no room for complacency anymore, and adaptation is an essential skill that we must possess.
Most students are now connected with some form of personal device. It is our responsibility to how to allow these devices to participate in our classrooms. By advising students on how to become positive digital citizens, these devices can offer 'live time' avenues into current global issues. They are the new dictionary.
Slates are out, iPads are in! Ensuring access to iPads in the classroom cannot only bridge the gap for those who don't have as much access, but allow teachers to take critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making to a higher level of Bloom's taxonomy. The access to technology takes place of lower order thinking, fostering an environment for high yield learning.
The most impactful asset of developing technology in the past 5 years for me is the ability to shorten time spent in class on the lower-order thinking processes. Technology has allowed our students to spend less time remembering and understanding (although some will disagree that this element of Bloom's Taxonomy is integral), and more time exploring the top tier of their higher-order thinking. Instead of teaching student what the problems are, we can now give them the tools to apply their understandings, evaluate the issues, and enable them to problem solve and create solutions to real time issues that students will face upon their commencement.
I currently use Twitter in the classroom on a daily basis. At the beginning of the semester, all students register for a Twitter account that they will use consistently to display their understanding of perspective, word choice, and critical reflection on curriculum issues. Early on in lessons and the introduction of new topics, I can gather information on how students feel about potential topics; what are they interested in? What angle should the conversation take? How can I focus the content to meet the interest of students? Where can I send or what tips can I give to expediate student's desired outcomes to the topic? So far, Twitter has allowed me spend less time on remembering and understanding information, and more time on student led initiatives to solve topics that are relevant to them! Below are some examples of student led analysis and the creative problem solving skills that society will need from the next leading generation!
Collaboration with Google Drive
Social Studies 20-1 students began evaluating and critically analyzing multiple country's claims to the Arctic, including Canada. Formulating their own research questions, students collaborated to generate solutions to a global issue that is close to home.
Grade 9 Health students collaborate to research given topics about addiction. Using Google programs, students can work simultaneously to complete assignments. This allows students with all abilities to be able to contribute to the final product.
Student Blogging
The online forum where students can post their thoughts, opinions, and apply their knowledge and understanding using words, pictures, videos, social media, etc., is a great place to witness learning happen. In this particular instance, students were asked to create a blog for their final Unit #1 Critical Challenge. I didn't want to give any parametres and wanted creativity and evaluation to take place. Hence, they were asked one question;
To what extent should nation be the foundation of identity?
Glogster Bulletins
One way of engaging students and really having them grasp the information, concepts, and themes at hand is to have them teach other students. This way, students are given a sense of responsibility and put in a position where people are depending on them. One method that we have used this past school year is Glogster. Glogster is an online bulletin where students can post text, videos, pictures, links, and social media feeds to create a digital 'poster presentation'. Take a look at the examples provided below.