A Summary of
Why we need to teach 21st Century skill –and how to do it. (Cover Story) by Bob Regan
Why we need to teach 21st Century skill –and how to do it. (Cover Story) by Bob Regan
Bob Regan clearly deals with the concept of traditional education versus emerging technologies in his article Why we need to teach 21st Century skill –and how to do it. In a 2007 poll, administered for 21st Century Skills (21CS), finding revealed 80% of those polled said “…the kind of skills students need to learn today are different from what they needed 20 years ago.” Some of the skills needed for today according to 21CS are: thinking and problem solving, media literacy, communication, interpersonal, collaborative, and self-direction. (Many of these skills are the same skills discussed in chapter 2 of Instructional Technology and Media for Learning p.24-39) With the “context” of the way schools are operating changing these emerging technologies successfully complete what “textbooks only do part of”. Emerging technologies help us to successfully advance farther and get closer to our goals and the sources we use than ever before. This can be done through rich visuals and audio that supplement printed pages, while students use videos and other mediums of new technology in addition to plain text. It also provides help to students with learning disabilities. Through emerging technologies many students who may see “text as a hurdle to learning” may use “interactive digital experiences” to help them while the work through their text issues.
The article then breaks down some of the learning skills on a practical level. For instance media literacy enhances Language arts, problem-solving enhances the sciences, collaborative skills set the students up for success, and the impact of technology skills that the students are learning can positively impact the community. All of those skills are developed and sharpened by emerging media. The article closes stating that now portfolio based programs are possible for students and teachers. Mr. Regan states 20 years ago it would of crumbled under the logistics of large numbers of students but today is possible because of programs like Adobe Acrobat 9. These portfolios will help students become more successful in today’s world and market. It is just another way that emerging media is teaching students to thrive in the 21st Century.
Stephen,
ReplyDeleteYour summary was well written and very relevant to the subject. You powerpoint did a great job of emphasising key points to the article. One of the things that I noticed was that there were very few articles that I could find that opposed technology in education or even presented an alternative view within the same article. I am curious if there is anyone out there who is worried about technology overload. In this assignment we are presenting the views of one author but I am really interested in what fellow students have to say. By the way, I am a huge proponent of the portfolio system and I definitley see technology helping to bring that system into the mainstream.
-Kelly