Journal #4: Create, Collaborate, Communicate; Empowering Students With 21st Century Skills

by Chris Riedel

In this article the author stressed the importance of bringing students and educators into the 21st century by integrating technology into their everyday educational lives. This is apparent after knowing that in the United States education placed last in the IT rankings of various industries. Sadly, education ranked after coalmining, a job in its own right is important, but is not fundamental in shaping and educating the minds of our future leaders of society.

As education becomes more intertwined with the advances of technology and schools are able to form budgets in which technological tools are placed in the classroom, the need for teachers to be able to use those resources to their full potential. In today’s society, corporations are looking for employees who are, creative in problem solving, have critical and analytical thinking skills, and gather and evaluate information. So who is responsible for training and preparing our youth?

According to Howie DiBlasi, teachers are the stepping stones in this IT world and he has outlined the top 16 things that educators need to do and has some advice in how to make this happen.

1. Hug a Geek- Find an IT mentor
2. Create a Social Network-Use web based platforms such as Ning
3. Develop Problem Solving Skills-Integrated brainteasers or puzzles to help development
4. Start Collaborating-Google Docs is a perfect format for interacting on projects
5. Use project Based Learning-Use real world scenarios to teach traditional skills
6. Develop Information Processing Skills-Teach students how to validate information and understand the IT structure
7. Give Kids a Global Voice-Collaborate with classrooms outside of school using web features such as ePals
8. Discover RSS-Using information through IT
9. Improve Critical Thinking Skills- Many tools available, one is project based learning
10. Teach our Kids to Be Self-Directed- make kids feel invested in learning by creating interesting projects that they will see all the way through
11. Create, Collaborate, Communicate-School Blogs are a perfect avenue for all students to participate in
12. Discover Social Bookmarking- Delicious is a good resource for shared information
13. Use interactive Video Conferencing- IVC can connect classrooms via Skype
14. Integrate Web 2.0 Tools Into Every Aspect of the Curriculum-See DiBlasi’s website for helpful hints
15. Promote 1:1 Computing- With refurbished computers, it is easier to put it into the school budget
16. Staff Development Is Fundamental-Teacher resource training is key to making this IT change in the classroom

Questions:
#1 How often should teachers be educated in technology?

Teachers should be required every year to take a refresher course or an informational course that teaches skills needed in the classroom. If the teachers are not current with IT, it ultimately affects the students.

#2 With budget cuts, and limited spending within school districts, how can all classrooms be prepared for the technology of the 21st century?

Unfortunately it is up to the parents and teachers to be creative in finding ways to make sure that the students have the necessary technology to stay competitive with other districts that have the funding for technology. Using private businesses, large corporations or individual families may sponsor or fundraise to make the necessary monetary costs for computers.

Journal January 2009 32-33. 21 Feb 2009 .Riedel, Chris. "Create, Collaborate, Communicate: Empowering Students With 21st Century Skills." The