Journal 4 - NETS I, II, & IV

"Create, Collaborate, Communicate: Empowering Student with 21st Century Skills" -Chris Riedel

Riedel, Chris (January 2009). Create, Collaborate, Communicate: Empowering Students with 21st Century Skills. T-H-E Journal, Retrieved February 20, 2009, from http://www.thejournal.com/articles/23872

This article is based on Howie DiBiasi's speech at the FETC meeting in Orlando, Florida. FETC is a conference held for educators and administrators to learn how to integrate educational technologies into the school environment. Howie DiBiasi placed an emphasis on the importance of teaching our students skills that are relevant to the 21st century. DiBiasi suggests that educators change the way we are teaching our students because they are utilizing one set of skills in the school environment and another set of skills when they are away from the school environment. DiBiasi suggests that we teach students skills for the 21st centuray, not just for the school setting. DiBiasi gives several tips to educators and administrators so that they will be better able to integrate technology into the curriculum and to motivate student learning. One way to learn more about the different technology tools available would be to talk to someone who is knowledgeable in the digital world. Talking to experts can teach you a lot about things that you did not know before. Another way to learn more about technology would be to create a social network. Social Networking can increase your knowledge about technology by providing a large database of knowledge from your peers. You are basically sharing with each other the different tools you are discovering; everyone participating benefits.

One way to motivate students is to help them develop problem-solving skills. This can be done on a daily basis just by giving the students something as simple as a Sudoku puzzle to solve. When students solve their own problems, they will feel more able to be successful which in turn will motivate them to learn. Educators can motivate student learning by creating project-based activities where students are actively participating in the lessons. I think that DiBiasi made a really good point in stating that we need to modify our curriculum so that we are teaching our students skills that they can use in the real world.

Question 1: How can educators increase one-on-one computer time for students in the classroom?

Although there is a budget and most classrooms can only afford so many computers, teachers can increase one-on-one computer time for students by using refurbished computers. These computers might not look as nice and run as efficient as the new computers but they would give more students the opportunity to get on the computers and learn.

Question 2: What are some ways that educators can learn more about how to use technology in the classroom.

One way for educators to learn more about technology is to get together and talk to someone who knows technology. Another way to learn more about technology is to start a social network where you can get ideas from other educators and administrators on how to incorporate different technology tools into the classroom. Another great way to learn more about technology is to start social bookmarking. This is a great way to save websites that you have discovered that you like to use in your classroom. This is also a great way to share and get ideas from others who are social bookmarking.