Module 7 Activity 6 Analysing Projects

As a teacher in the 21st century, it is important for me to provide opportunities for project based learning so that the students will learn as they proceed and transfer knowledge and use in new situations.  In this way, the students will become lifelong learners.  Of some significance is the need to incorporate such skills as critical thinking, problem solving, real life/authentic experiences, use of a range of technological tools and the use of expertswhen executing projects. The learning experiences will be more meaningful to the students and learning will be enhanced.

Module 7 Activity 5a, b, c Engaged Learning

Engaged learning is synonymous with 21st century learning.  Students are responsible for their own learning by definining their own learning goals and evaluating their own achievement. Once this culture is cultivated in the classroom, students will always be energized to learn and will quite likely become lifelong learners. As a teacher, I am totally convinced that this is the way to go as a teacher. In light of this, I can see myself setting challenging, authentic, multidisciplinary tasks that relate to real life situations so that they will be meaningful to my students. Students who are always engaged will crave knowledge and will love learning once they make sense of the learning and can tranfer it to new situations.

Module 7 Activity 4 Knowledge Building

Knowledge building experience for students is one that will be part of lifelong learning.  They will be able to use critical thinking as a tool to interpret, analyze, synthesize and evaluate information so that they can build on what they already know.  The regurgitation of facts will be a thing of the past and schools will produce students who can use knowledge building to make difficult decisions in life.

Module 7 Activity 3 a, b, c. Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is the ultimate tool that our students should use to execute tasks in the classroom and without. Critical thinking will help our students to think for themselves; think outside the box to reason out arguments and come to logical, rational conclusions about issues. I particularly like the critical thinking checklist that may be used to determine if a person is a good critical thinker or if there is more to be desired. If arguments or statements can pass the checklist, then it is probably good thinking. I also admire the intellectual standards for thinking that individuals can use to determine if their thinking is considered good since it is said that better thinking gives better solutions. I can see myself using critical thinking as the main tool for learning in any class that I teach since it means that the students will interact more deeply with the learning and will most likely have greater understanding and retention of the material.

Module 7 Activity 2 a,b,c,d

This activity made me realize that as far as the connected classroom is concerned, we have a long way to go. It has opened my eyes to the 21st Century learner and the need for me as a teacher to get students curious so that they always want to learn. I am fully aware of the fact that students are born consuming media and the role the teacher must play in ensuring that they use this to learn rather than merely for entertainment;I am also cognizant of the need for students to be given a baseline set of skills and competencies so that they may proceed confidently into the learning. Of some significance is the need to give value to informal learning and to let students realize that learning outside of the classroom is just as important as within the four walls of the classroom. There is also a need for us as teachers to use digital media to change the way students learn, play and sociaslize.  As a teacher, I realize that there is a lot to be done in this area and I will start to take steps to ensure that my students become digital masterminds in my subject area.

Module 7 Activity 1a

The process of getting and sharing information is intricately linked to the way in which we view technology and the importance that we place on it as we engage in the teaching/learning process. Teachers and students need to move away from the traditional culture of the classroom being the four walls and the idea that learning cannot take place outside those walls. Teachers need to expose students to the ways in which they can use technology to share/exchange information with their classmates as well as other students in other parts of the world.  Tasks should be set that encourage students to want to discover more, to learn more and to hunger for more at the end of the day.  Learning should be enjoyable and meaningful with the use of technology.