The document discusses trends in 21st century learners and education. Key points:
- Today's students are digital natives who are constantly connected through technology. However, schools still operate with 20th century models where information is scarce and structured.
- Students now need to be engaged through collaborative, inquiry-based learning that allows choice and customization. Skills like problem solving, communication and lifelong learning are emphasized over content outcomes.
- While digital textbooks could provide more updated, interactive content, they also risk becoming content-driven with less emphasis on developing core skills. Caution is urged to avoid losing philosophical underpinnings of curriculum.
3. A. The Folly of Predictions
1970s prediction
Improvements in technology will increase the amount
of leisure time by the 1990s. Few if any people will
work more than a 25-h week.
The biggest challenge to be faced in 20 years will be
what to do with all of our leisure time.
4. Not everyone is a visionary
“
Everything that can be invented has been invented.»
Charles H. Duell, an official at the US patent office, 1899.
"It will be gone by June"
Variety, passing judgement on rock 'n roll in 1955.
If anything remains more or less unchanged, it will be the
role of women.»
David Riesman, conservative American social scientist,
1967.
5. Signs we live in the 21st Century
You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of three
You call your son's mobile to let him know it's time to eat. He texts you
back from his bedroom, "What's for dinner?"
You chat several times a day with a stranger from South Africa, but you
haven't spoken with your next door neighbor yet this year.
You hear most of your jokes via Facebook instead of in person
You wake up at 2:00 AM to go to the bathroom and check your
Facebook on your way back to bed.
Your reason for not staying in touch with family is that they are not on
Facebook
You start tilting your head sideways to smile. :)
7. B. Are students less able?
•”When I was a student, we were better at spelling,
writing and math.”
•With the possible exception of spelling this is not true.
Curricula is becoming increasing complex.
•Students are not the same and curriculum demands
have increased.
10. D. Profiles of the Learner
Students will use engaging
technologies in:
• collaborative ways
• inquiry-based environments
• ways that transform
knowledge and skills into
products, solutions, and new
information.
11. Today's child
"Today's child is bewildered when she enters the 19th
century environment that still characterizes the
educational establishment where information is scarce
but ordered and structured by fragmented, classified
patterns, subjects, and schedules."
Marshall McLuhan, 1967
What changes have you seen in schools to make
knowledge less scarce?
13. I am a 21 st Century learner
• I will spent 16.5-h watching
TV this week.
• I will spent 5.5-h on my
computer this week.
• I game 3.5-h per week.
• I spent 2-h reading a book
this week.
• I listened to Harry Potter on
my I-Pad for 5-h this week.
14. I will
• Read 8 books this year.
• Write 42 pages of notes
for classes this semester.
• Spend 5 to 6-h in class
each day.
• Work 2-h day.
• Sleep 2-h less than my
parents did each day.
• Read 2300 webpages,
1281 Facebook profiles
• Write over 500 pages of
email this semester.
• Spend 3.5-h a day online.
• Listen to musics 2.5-h a
day, 2-h on my cellphone.
15. I need to be
A multitasker
• Because I have to be.
A decision-maker and
problem solver.
• In daily life and the world
of work.
A communicator and
collaborator.
• Because I live and work
in a social environment.
16. My Social Life and School
• My teacher and parents
use email to
communicate.
• 76% of my teachers have
never used WIKIs, blogs
and PODcasts.
• I text my friends.
• I blog
• 14% of the week, I get to
do something with
technology in school.
63% of students don't
use technology weekly.
17. Teach me to
• Think
• Create
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Apply
20. E. Teaching Strategies
Student Engagement
• Problem-based learning
• Collaborative work for students and instructors
• Emphasis placed on lifelong Learning
• Inquiry
• Integration of learning and interdisciplinary studies
• Simulations
Student Choice
• Use of technology to present and share students ideas.
• Assistive technologies to support student learning.
• Students involved in their own assessment.
21. Why does every lesson have to
entertain students with technology?
Students don't need to be entertained, they need
to be engaged!
• Entertainment is passive
• Entertainment is for
enjoyment
• Entertainment is short-
lived
• Entertainment is does
not require relevance.
• Engagement is active
• Engagement is for
learning
• Engagement provides
long-term results
• Engagement requires
relevance and
applicability.
24. G. Textbooks of the future
Digital textbooks
• Online assessment as part of the textbook. Students
interact with the book.
• Textbook linked with online simulations, videos, podcasts
and laboratory activities.
• Movement away from linear reading - use of pop-ups
provide students with choices.
• Wikis and blogs allow student interaction during the
learning.
25. Digital Textbook Project In California
Students to use free on-line
textbooks.
Digital textbooks provide
advertising and sponsorship
as a possible source of
revenue.
Advantages
• More up-to-date.
• Lighter school bags.
• Save paper and trees.
• Make learning more
interactive.
• Easier to search.
Math and Science Projects
2010.
$17 B cut from a $52 B
budget.
Much of the motivation is
seen around cost savings.
• Outsourcing of writing.
• Compilation and tagging
of information.
• Linking of information
with activities.
26. What will be gained and lost
Gain
• More content and more
choices for different types
of learners.
• Potentially many links for
activities. (Labs, WIKIs,
blogs, etc.)
• Resource development
will integrate textbook
with pre-existing visual
resources.
Lost
• No philosophy as an
underpinning for resource
development.
• Eclectic resource
development means no
single format for lab write
up or the presentation of
work.
• Potential for content
bound curriculum.
27. Choice and Ownership
Teachers will look for resources that allow them greater
participation in the learning of their students. (A push back
against mass uniform delivery and resource models).
Students and parents have a expectation that programs are
tailored to the child's needs and interests.
• Learning any place, any time, and at any pace. (AB Ed
2010-13).
Social networking will find stronger links in completing
assignments, critiquing the work of students and teachers.
28. Opposition to digital books
You can't resell digital books
legally.
Costs of the textbooks are only
slightly less, despite a
tremendous drop in production
prices.
Require a digital device - reader,
i-Pad, and computers, which
require maintenance.
29. Reasons for Caution
Many e-textbook advantages focus on content (up-to date,
possible extensions, other modes for delivering content ie
video) rather than the development of skills.
• How do students assess evidence as problem solvers?
(What evidence supports the conclusion that oil sands
development is deleterious to the environment).
• How do students communicate and support their ideas?
Wikis, blogs, and presentations are linked to social
issues.
• How do students use the knowledge presented?
30. A 1998 study published in the
Human Factors & Ergonomics Society
journal reported a decline in speed and
accuracy, and an increase in fatigue, when
reading from a screen rather than paper.
American Pediatrics Society has issued
cautions about young children using light
emitting screens more than 2h a day.
32. Conclusions
Technological tools have an appeal in providing choice and
personalizing learning.
The terms technology and innovation are often used as
synonyms. There is an assumption that teachers who use
more technology are more creative or innovative.
Curriculum must focus on skills and attributes and not
packages of knowledge.
Editor's Notes
Many Alberta Schools now allow students to use cell phones in class. The danger is using facebook and not following class.
Dean of medicine – checked by students during his speech.
Study in 1980s looking at Asian students and black students in the USA. Why was there a difference in success rate. Not related to income. Asian students socialized while they worked. (multitasked). Collaborator.
Changes in medical education.
1. 21st century learners, learn by doing. Video games provide choices and immediate feedback.
2. The talking head, a common feature of early videoconferencing does not work. Learners are noisy and group problem-solve.
3. Toyota's SCION division tailors cars to customization. Cell phones and laptop have a variety of cases and decals.
4. Many different schools have arisen, multiple plans for cell phones. Sometimes it gets young employees in trouble - student teacher who indicates this was quite what she paid for in a mentor teacher.
5. Milt Petruk's story, Google work environment with gyms, games rooms etc.
6. Impatience - gets them in trouble. Professors often addressed by their first name and informally.
This is a view of an ideal situation from a study group on student engagement.
Simulation – of Specific course
Game building exercise… students build their own games… some are specific to content/context and some are just for fun… either way construction of VW or Games is difficult problem-solving exercise that promotes critical thinking in logical domain…