Learning in the Digital Age - Reflective Blog 1
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The importance of using a variety of instructional strategies and the value they add to the education of students in the 21st century. Evaluate the role technology plays in the implementation of various instructional strategies. How will this impact your teaching of students in the 21st century?
-The importance of using a variety of instructional strategies is to make sure that the needs of the students are being met. As educators we know that all students do not learn the same. Therefore, using instructional strategies that meet the needs of each student is important for their overall success. We know that students learn best when they are actively engaged in their learning. A variety of instructional strategies can increase the student’s success in completing goals and objectives. Some of the instructional strategies that a teacher can use are demonstrations, collaboration, simulations, learning games and problem solving. Classrooms do not need to look like they did 25 years ago or even 10 years ago. There are so many ways to get students involved, we just have to make the change. Just think how a student may be anticipating school because they do not know what each day brings because their teacher uses a variety of instructional strategies. Students will be excited to come to school….the ripple effect!
-The role of technology plays in using a variety of instructional strategies is also important. Technology is here to stay. Teachers have to learn to integrate it into their curriculum. I am so fortunate to work in a school that has Smart Boards in every classroom. I have 5 computers in my room. We have a computer lab, laptop carts and iPads, flip cameras and digital cameras and so much more. These are things that are just part of my teaching. I’ve learned to be creative with the help of many colleagues and instructors along the way. As teachers, we have seen that technology is a motivator for many students. When we are able to capture the attention of our students through the use of technology, student participation and work productivity increases as well as the quality of the work. Technology can be used to do whole class presentations or virtual field trips. Technology can also be used individually to complete assignments by using tools such as concept maps, word processing, learning games, iMovie and PowerPoint.
-The impact of teaching students in the 21st century is the same as it always has been. I have been in the education field since 1972. Along the way, new ways of teaching have been researched and many have become Best Practices. You learn these new strategies and Best Practices and you change the way you teach to meet the needs of your students. It isn’t difficult to understand what needs to be done on a teacher’s part…we just have to do it. If we got into teaching to make a difference in the lives of the students in our classrooms, we will do whatever it takes to prepare them for life in the 21st century. Technology is everywhere around us. Students can easy go beyond the four walls of our classrooms and learn more than they ever have before. In doing so, we can create a learning environment that promotes collaboration and the development of good communication skills. The sky is the limit for our students today if only we embrace what technology has to offer them.
Instructional Strategies Websites:
http://pedagogy.merlot.org/TeachingStrategies.html
This video shares students thoughts about educators utilizing technology in the classroom.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZokqjjIy77Y
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