Teaching in the 21st Century

There are many times when I think that the differences between “now” and “then” are so small that they are really rather insignificant. However, perhaps it is more that I have overlooked a very important feature of modern life. The thing is that it has crept in so quickly and replaced the old ways of doing things so effortlessly, that it can be easy to overlook. Technology is a powerful tool.

Younger generations have the advantage of being born into it. Therefore, it is evident that the average 12 year old is more technologically savvy than the average 30 year old. Perhaps it is out of the ignorance of the older generation that in the learning environment, the classroom, and technology has become more of a distraction than a tool. Clearly the students who are using these tools are interested in using these things, but are using them in the wrong context.

The goals of teaching children have also changed. What they are expected to know often times did not even exist when earlier generations were in school. For example, children’s’ books are a relativity new phenomenon. Clearly, the responsibility for knowing relevant information regarding teaching is in the teacher’s court. As the world gains knowledge, demands for future generations also grow. The teacher is the facilitator in this important process.

Demands placed on teachers are many, and growing every day. But with the job they are entrusted with, who can expect any different? Different methods have been outlined to manage a classroom. It is not an easy feat to put things into another person’s brain. Especially if that other person would rather be doing something else anyway. Unfortunatly in many instances technology has slid into this grey area of classroom distraction. Clearly though, there any many advantages available with every piece, and it is in the teachers best interest to use technology as a positive rather than viewing it in a negative light. We were able to read about several different examples of different techniques that teachers have developed to use computers to their advantage. To use technology as a tool.

My favorite story was one of a collaboration between two sister classrooms, one Greek and the other Canadian. Not only were the students able to communicate even thought they were on different parts of the world, they were also able to learn from each other in very significant ways. An author was able to set up an activity for the two classes to work together collaboratively. They worked on stories together, each teaching the other his or her language, although English was the primary language goal. They had to communicate to create a cohesive story and were able to learn more real life information as a result. For example, the Greek students had the opportunity to learn expressions commonplace for an English speaker, but not found in a dictionary. Their education was grounded on a very real level. And as a result, there were number of stories written, both in Greek and in English. I thought that this was an excellent example of channeling the students’ natural curiosity and affinity toward technology and to use it as a tool in the classroom of the modern teacher.