Leah Ramas BEED III01:30 – 02:30 PMEDUC2D

THE 21ST CENTURY DIGITAL LEARNER

The 21st century dawned as the beginning of the Digital Age- a time of unprecedented growth in technology and it’s subsequent information explosion. Never before have the tools for information access and management made such an impact on the way we live, work, shop and play. New technologies and tools multiply daily and the new technologies of today are outdated almost as soon as they reach the market. Numerous studies and reports have emerged over the past decade that seek to identify the life, career, and learning skills that define the skills needed for success in the 21st century world. While there are some differences in how the skills are categorized or interpreted, there are also many commonalities. Common skills across most of studies include:

1. Creativity and Innovation

Using knowledge and understanding to create new ways of thinking in order to find solutions to new problems and to create new products and services.

Think Creatively

Use a wide range of idea creation techniques (such as brainstorming)

Create new and worthwhile ideas ( both incremental and radial concepts)

Elaborate, refine, analyze and evaluate ideas in order to improve and maximize creative efforts

Demonstrate imagination and curiosity

Work Creatively with Others

Develop, implement, and communicate new ideas to other effectively

Be open and responsive to new diverse perspectives; incorporate group input and feedback into the work

Implement InnovationsAct on creative ideas to make a tangible and useful contribution to the field in which innovation will occur

2. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

Applying higher order thinking to new problems and issues, using appropriate reasoning as they effectively analyze the problem and make decisions about the most effective ways to solve the problem.

Reason Effectively Use various types of reasoning (e.g., inductive, deductive, etc.)

as appropriate to situation

Use Systems Thinking Analyze how parts of a whole interact with each other to

produce overall outcomes in complex systems

Make Judgements and Decisions

Effectively analyze and evaluate evidence, arguments, claims and beliefs

Analyze and evaluate major alternatives points of view Synthesize and make connections between

information ad arguments Interpret information and draw conclusions based on

the best analysis Reflect critically on learning experiences and

processes

Solve problems

Solve different kinds of non-familiar problems in both conventional and innovative ways

Identify and ask significant questions that clarify various points of view and lead to better solution

3. Communication

Communicating effectively in a wide variety forms and context for a wide range of purposes and using multiple media and technologies

Communicate Clearly Articulate thoughts and ideas effectively using oral,

written, and nonverbal communication skills in variety forms and contexts

Listen effectively to decipher meaning, including knowledge, values, attitudes and intentions

4. Collaboration Working with others respectfully and effectively to

create, use and share knowledge, solutions and innovations.

Collaboration with Others Demonstrate ability to work effectively and

respectfully with diverse teams Exercise flexibility and willingness to be helpful in

making necessary compromises to accomplish a common goal

5. Information Management Accessing, analyzing, synthesizing, creating and

sharing information from multiple sources.

6. Effective Use Of Technology Creating the capacity to identify and use

technology efficiently, effectively and ethically as a tool to access, organize, evaluate and share information

7. Career and Life Skills Developing skills for becoming self- directed, independent

learners and workers who can adapt to change, manage projects, take responsibility to their work, lead others produce results.

8. Cultural Awareness Developing cultural competence in working with others by

recognizing and respecting cultural differences and work with others from a wide range of cultural and social backgrounds.

Information, Media and Technology

Skills

INFORMATION LITERACY

Access and Evaluate Information Access information efficiently (time) and

effectively (sources) Evaluate information critically and competently

Use and Manage Information

Use information accurately and creatively for the issue or problem at hand

Manage the flow of information from a wide variety of sources

Apply fundamental understanding of the ethical/legal issues surroundings the access and use of information

MEDIA LITERACY

Analyze Media Understand both how and why media messages are

constructed and for what purposes Examine how individuals interpret messages differently, how

values and points of view are excluded, and how media can influences beliefs and behaviors

Apply a fundamental understanding of the ethical/legal issues surroundings the access and use od media

Create Media Products

Understand and utilize the most appropriate media creation tools, characteristics, and conventions

Understand and effectively utilize the most appropriate expressions and interpretations in diverse, multi cultural environments

ICT (INFORMATION, COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY)

LITERACY

Apply Technology Effectively

Use technology as a tool to research, organize, evaluate, and communicate information

Use digital technologies (e.g., computers, PDAs, media players, GPS, etc.), communication/ networking tools, and social networks appropriately to access, manage, integrate, evaluate, and create information to successfully function in a knowledge economy

Apply a fundamental understanding of the ethical/ legal issues surroundings the access and use of information technologies

Integrating 21st Century Skills with Content

These skills are about the thinking processes and behaviors students will use as they learn to subject area content. All of the frameworks emphasize the need to ground 21st century skills in core content, and especially in an interdisciplinary fashion. Organizing instruction around important concepts and “big ideas” helps students create conceptual structures for storing, retrieving and using information in new and unanticipated ways.

KEY DESIGN PRINCIPLES

Connecting the content knowledge to real-world applications and problem situations that enable students to see how what they are learning connects with their lives and the world around them. The work that is asked of students must be authentic work that is relevant and that mirrors in real life.

Emphasizing deep understanding of learning by focusing on projects and problems that require students to use the content knowledge in new ways and to extend their understanding through collaboration with others.

Using technology to help students access, analyze, organize and share what they are learning and allow students to independently locate appropriate tools for the task.

Engaging students in solving complex problems that require higher order thinking and application of content and the result in new perspectives and solutions to problems.

Providing opportunities for students to work collaborative as they gather information, solve problems, share ideas, and generate new ideas.

How Should Instruction Change to Prepare Students in the 21st Century?

The 21st century skills are not really different. We the always wanted students to be creative thinkers and problem solvers who have to the skills necessary to function effectively in society and in the workplace.

Instruction that meets the needs to today’s students will incorporate A variety of learning opportunities and activities The use of appropriate technology tools to accomplish

learning goals Project- and problem-based learning Cross-curricular connections A focus on inquiry and the students-led investigation Collaborative learning environments, both within and

beyond the classroom High levels of visualization and the use of visuals to

increase understanding Frequent, formative assessments including the use of self-

assessment.