A hook is an introduction that is used to introduce a topic. At the beginning of the course I completed an assessment on how I used 21st century skills within the classroom upon completion. I felt comfortable with the months that I was using within the classroom. However, when you realize that you could do more, if your knew what more was, it truly makes a difference in your teaching. Student’s today re so advance in their thinking that teachers and school must embrace these skill and put it into practice within the classroom for this is the skills needed for the real world. “Schools are struggling to keep pace with the astonishing rate of change in students lives outside of school. Students will spend their adult lives in a multitasking; multifaceted technology-driven, diverse, vibrant world- and they must arrive equipped to do” (Partnership for 21st Century skills, n.d). This quote is so vital. Mark Pensky states that kids today are digital native and it’s important that as teachers we are up to our student’s level.
Through taken this degree I have been exposed to so many learning opportunities and experiences that I have never experienced in my professional expertise as a teacher. Through the use of Blogs, Wiki’s, Podcasts, and Voice thread there are tools that can move learning from teacher centered to student centered. I realized my teaching style includes mixed methods such as lecturing, group work, think, pair share, interactive games, and the integration of technology with the classroom.
This course has provided me with knowledge and experience especially learning about “new literacies” and what it entails. By exploring Quest models and teaching students the importance of how to search, the reliability and credibility of websites, the ability to question, search, evaluate, synthesizing and to be able to communicate. Incorporation of Inquiry plans are also vital in learning, because student’s take responsibility for their learning and are able to use technological tools in their discovery process in order to find the answers that they are looking for., and also express their creativity. Dr. Thornburg speaks about “doing things differently” versus “doing different things” (Laureate Education, Inc, 2008). Kuhlthau(2007) states that if “we capture their imagination, they begin to think creatively and creativity solves problems for life.” The skills taught and learned allowed me to improve student’s learning, and allowed me to grow as a teacher. One of my hearts desire is the ability to transform my roles as a teacher. I enjoy when I can move from the teacher role, to the guided role, and then just observe while my student’s are working independently.
In the beginning of the course it stated that “the Internet is the most powerful convenient and potentially manipulative medium ever invented. It can give you any version of the truth you are looking for. Not only does information expand and change everyday, the rules for finding information also change” (November, 2008). It is important that teachers teach students how to search for information effectively. Some times we as teachers take for granted that because our students use the internet that they know exactly what to do, and how to search for information, which may not necessarily be the truth. “Just because our students are able to cruise through the Intent with speed and what looks like skill doesn’t mean they know what they are doing” (Walden University, 2009).
I really did enjoy this course it gave me new insights in regards to new literacies and technology on a whole. I plan on completing more research and staying up to date on new literacies while incorporating this technique in my teaching. In addition to this I plan to implement 21st Century literacy skills for these skills are necessary for students to be vital to society.
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