K-12 Teaching in the 21st Century MOOC

Connected Learning(Module 1)

(So excited to be participating!!)

I read through and watched all of the material in the Consume section of the Connected Learning Module and found all of it useful.  One piece sparked excitement more than the others.  The webinar on "How Great Teachers Reinvent Their Classrooms" was inspiring to me.  There are three main points that I took away from the meeting.

1.  Jennie Magiera mentioned a point that I think many of us forget in this flurry of emerging technology.  Technology solves problems.  In this quest for 21st century learning, I think it is important to keep this in the forefront of our minds.  We should not use any technology that doesn't solve a problem or save valuable time in some way.  Technology is a teaching tool that can enhance learning.  If not used appropriately, I think it just becomes an obstacle to learning.

2.  Kristin Ziemke brought up the idea that there is really no need to wait for technology equipment to drop into our laps before "inviting curiosity" into the classroom.  This is a great point that really relates to the point above.  We can help build 21st century skills in learners without technology.  Furthermore, I think this really gets to the real point here.  This movement of bringing 21st century skills into classrooms actually has very little to do with technology itself.  We, as educators, are tasked with preparing learners for THEIR future.  Nobody knows what the future will look like.  But we do know that if we provide a path for learners to build their critical thinking skills, problem solving skills, creative skills and social skills, they will be prepared for whatever their future looks like.  Technology is a great tool to help educators in their task and help learners develop skills, but it isn't the only tool.  Technology is the way we often communicate and express ourselves in modern society, which is why it needs have a significant role in education, but I don't think we should lose site of the understanding that it needs to serve a purpose by enhancing the educational process.  Otherwise, it is useless.

3.  Justin Reich, the facilitator of the webinar, shared an experience he had in visiting classrooms in Singapore.  What was striking to me was his observation that the schools in Singapore think of the environment of the classroom as a community responsibility.  The teachers aren't isolated in the teaching process.  The teaching process is considered a group effort.  This reminds me of the "Teacherpreneur" video we watched.  For us in the U.S., this is a new idea as our educational system tends to be more compartmentalized.  I'd really like to see this idea blossom in the U.S., maybe not the exact same way as in Singapore, but in a way that works for us, perhaps in blurring the lines between teachers and administration so that there is more of a community effort in the teaching/learning process.

So, what did I learn about "Connected Learning"?  I'd say that I learned that the real connection here is between learners and teachers, between learners and learners, and between teachers and teachers.  If we take the time to teach ourselves, as educators, and our students, as learners, that we can use technology to connect with one another to learn, we will stimulate, enhance and remain true to the learning process so that our learners are prepared for their future in the world, however that world presents itself.  Connected Learning is the real "No Child Left Behind Act" because it connects the people in the educational process to each other so that learning happens for all.