How are Teachers Engaging and Reaching Students with Technology?
As a former high school teacher and now working in the technology & writing field, I have a better understanding and interest in helping other teachers gain the skills to create interactive and engaging lessons for their students.
Only in the past year or so has technology had a dramatic impact upon students in the 21st century, just like when typewriters were replaced by computers and rotary dial phones were replace by cordless phones. Now more than ever, students in high school and college will need to know how to use their knowledge of social networking, blogging, podcasting and using Twitter in the business world.
There’s a difference in using Facebook to chat with friends from class to creating Fan Pages and groups to market a company’s product or service to a more global community. How many readers became a Fan of their favorite retail store, college sports team or musician? Where are students getting their information for writing literature analysis essays or persuasive debates? How do you know if these online forums and Websites are legitimate and current?
Of course there are sites where you can check the validity of the information, but do teachers know how to provide interactive online situations that future employers are looking for? According to one video, less than 20% of teachers know how to use current technology, the same technology that their students have been using for three or more years. Check out this video about how teachers are not keeping current with their students’ needs.
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What are you doing to help your students succeed in the working world?
Helpful links for teaching kids skills for the 21st century
21st Century Teaching Blog – More sources here as well including video links
Classroom 2.0 – A social network for those interested in using more technology with students in the classroom.
Educational Origami – Great site with downloadable PDFs and visuals for learners, teachers, and other educators
Pay Attention – a video that questions whether teachers are preparing students for the 21st century, engagement and reaching students on their level.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEFKfXiCbLw&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0]
