Essential Questions Post #6

The following blog will consist of my own ideas/thoughts and research from both books and online sources. It will address the following question:

How do you, your school, and/or your district know you are successfully integrating technology and building 21st Century Skills for all learners? 

"Well-integrated use of technology resources by thoroughly trained teachers makes twenty-first-century learning possible" (Edutopia, 2007). 

Technology is a must in classrooms today. The 21st century skills are all based around modern technology and how students can use it to succeed in school and the workplace. The aspect of the power of technology is that it has made learners both more independent and more collaborative. “Today’s learners need both the academic and global skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the world—attributes and dispositions such as problem solving, curiosity, creativity, innovation, communication, interpersonal skills, the ability to synthesize across disciplines, global awareness, ethics, and technological expertise” (Council of Chief State School Officers, 2013). 

Edutopia (2007) concludes that successful technology integration is achieved when the use of technology is:

• Routine and transparent

• Accessible and readily available for the task at hand

• Supporting the curricular goals, and helping the students to effectively reach their goals

Frameworks for Technology Integration--SAMR and TPACK

“The ultimate goal of technology integration is to completely redefine how we teach and learn, and to do things that we never could before the technology was in our hands” (Edutopia, 2007). By utilizing the SAMR and TPACK frameworks, it allows educators to reflect upon the effectiveness of technology integration within the classroom setting. 

 

The SAMR (Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, Redefinition) model, created by Dr. Ruben Puentudura, guides the process of reflecting on how we are integrating technology into our classrooms. 

 

 

The TPACK (Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge) framework lays out the knowledge that educators need in order to successfully integrate technology into their teaching.

Fostering a 21st Century and Innovative Environment

According to Couros (2015), creating the environment that fosters a culture of innovation is done by:
- focusing on strengths-based leadership
-allowing learners’ needs to drive our decisions
-narrowing our focus and engaging in deep learning
-embracing an open culture
-creating learning experiences for educators that we would love to see in the classroom

“The word innovation is becoming more prevalent in school and district mission and vision statements. Our job as leaders is to make sure that innovation isn’t simply a word but a mindset that intentionally and consistently shapes our daily practices” (Couros, 2015, p. 206). 

..So how is this done?

Here are five things to consider (Hudson, 2020):
1. Use Modern Technology
2. Start Early and Build a Strong Foundation
3. Weave Real-World Skills Into Every Subject
4. Encourage a Collaborative Classroom Environment
5. Make Learning Relevant

In the end, research continues to try to build a strong connection between technology integration and student achievement. Properly implemented technology can improve student achievement, actively engage learners, and provide both important and crucial technological skills needed for the workforce. With adequate amount of training, “teachers must be adequately trained to use technology, technological resources must be sufficient and accessible, effective technology use requires long-term planning and support, and most importantly, technology should be integrated into the curricular and instructional framework” (Grinager, 2005).

References:
Council of Chief State School Officers. (2013, April). Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium InTASC Model Core Teaching Standards and Learning Progressions for Teachers 1.0: A Resource for Ongoing Teacher Development. Washington, DC: Author.

Couros, G. (2015). The innovator's mindset: Empower learning, unleash talent, and lead a culture of creativity. San Diego, CA: Dave Burgess Consulting.

Edutopia (Ed.). (2007, November 06). What Is Successful Technology Integration? Retrieved June 23, 2020, from https://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-guide-description

Grinager, H. (2006, November 1). How Education Technology Leads to Improved Student Achievement. National Conference of State Legislatures. Retrieved , from http://www.ncsl.org/portals/1/documents/educ/item013161.pdf

Hudson, H. (2020, February 07). 5 Ways to Give Students the 21st‑Century Skills They Need to Succeed. Retrieved June 23, 2020, from https://xello.world/en/blog/21st-century-skills/