Chapter One Article Summary
Chapter one addresses a lot of hot topics in education right now, specifically regarding the subject of technology. First we describe what is meaningful learning, talk about the difference between learning from and with technology, followed by some legislation about technology in classrooms, and finally the chapter is wrapped up with discussing technology and twenty-first century skills. This chapter is full of information valuable to anyone interested in education or technology.
Before reading this chapter, I cannot say I’ve had too much experience or prior knowledge about technology in classrooms. As a matter of fact, I would say I have had a lack of experience with these topics. My prior knowledge includes my personal experience through school as well as a field experience in a kindergarten classroom at Kennesaw Elementary School (KES).
Growing up in a small town in the early 2000s, it is understandable why I did not see very much technology throughout my public school career. In fact, I did not even get my first laptop until my senior year of high school. Additionally, in my kindergarten classroom at KES there was not a great push for technology in the classrooms. We still had the big box computer screens and it was very clear which students had technology at home and which students did not have that opportunity.
Nevertheless, the subject of technology in classrooms is extremely relevant to me because I see myself graduating from UGA’s College of Education in hopes of being a Speech-Language Pathologist or an Elementary School Teacher, both careers are being assisted more and more by technology.
While reading this chapter, I learned a lot of valuable information. I am listing some of the major topics highlighted in the chapter. In order for learning to be meaningful it must include the following characteristics: active, cooperative, constructive, authentic, and intentional. These characteristics must all work together simultaneously in order for a successful meaningful learning experience. Students cannot learn solely from technology. Rather technology should be a tool to support and foster positive meaningful learning experiences. The National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) are a list of standards for both students and teachers to integrate technology in our schools that emphasize construction, collaboration, and critical thinking.
The NETS are designed around 21st century skills that students in this generated are expected to display. The Partnership for 21st Century skills have listed detailed abilities that students are graduates of this generation are expected to preform to keep themselves successful and the United States contenders of the global economy. The 21st Century skills include abilities in the areas of Learning and Innovation; Creativity; Critical Thinking and Problem Solving; Communication and Collaboration; and Information, Media, and Technology Skills and Literacy.
As you can see, these topics are imperative for teachers in a K12 setting to adapt and include in their classroom. Each of these topics from meaningful learning, to technology, to 21st century skills are interwoven and dependent upon each other. How can a student obtain the needed 21st century skills is he or she does not experience technology within the classroom? Teachers should look to the characteristics of meaningful learning to plan their lessons around. Once they have achieved that process, then teachers should begin incorporating technological devices into their lesson plans and making sure those learning experiences are equally meaningful. Once students are successfully using computers and other devices they can begin to evolve their technological skills to other characteristics of the 21st Century Skills in order to become successful students and adults in our society today.
My question to the authors is about resources of students. What can we do about the poverty in specific regions of our nation, like the Appalachia, where students do not have technology? Unfortunately students in these regions of extreme poverty do not have the resources, like computers, at home or in schools to foster 21st Century Skills, leaving them behind on a national and global scale. It is not just the students that have lack of resources but the States are also having issues funding schools alone, much less including technology in schools. Simply put, what could we do as a nation to stop the circle of poverty starting with technology in ALL classrooms?
Before reading this chapter, I cannot say I’ve had too much experience or prior knowledge about technology in classrooms. As a matter of fact, I would say I have had a lack of experience with these topics. My prior knowledge includes my personal experience through school as well as a field experience in a kindergarten classroom at Kennesaw Elementary School (KES).
Growing up in a small town in the early 2000s, it is understandable why I did not see very much technology throughout my public school career. In fact, I did not even get my first laptop until my senior year of high school. Additionally, in my kindergarten classroom at KES there was not a great push for technology in the classrooms. We still had the big box computer screens and it was very clear which students had technology at home and which students did not have that opportunity.
Nevertheless, the subject of technology in classrooms is extremely relevant to me because I see myself graduating from UGA’s College of Education in hopes of being a Speech-Language Pathologist or an Elementary School Teacher, both careers are being assisted more and more by technology.
While reading this chapter, I learned a lot of valuable information. I am listing some of the major topics highlighted in the chapter. In order for learning to be meaningful it must include the following characteristics: active, cooperative, constructive, authentic, and intentional. These characteristics must all work together simultaneously in order for a successful meaningful learning experience. Students cannot learn solely from technology. Rather technology should be a tool to support and foster positive meaningful learning experiences. The National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) are a list of standards for both students and teachers to integrate technology in our schools that emphasize construction, collaboration, and critical thinking.
The NETS are designed around 21st century skills that students in this generated are expected to display. The Partnership for 21st Century skills have listed detailed abilities that students are graduates of this generation are expected to preform to keep themselves successful and the United States contenders of the global economy. The 21st Century skills include abilities in the areas of Learning and Innovation; Creativity; Critical Thinking and Problem Solving; Communication and Collaboration; and Information, Media, and Technology Skills and Literacy.
As you can see, these topics are imperative for teachers in a K12 setting to adapt and include in their classroom. Each of these topics from meaningful learning, to technology, to 21st century skills are interwoven and dependent upon each other. How can a student obtain the needed 21st century skills is he or she does not experience technology within the classroom? Teachers should look to the characteristics of meaningful learning to plan their lessons around. Once they have achieved that process, then teachers should begin incorporating technological devices into their lesson plans and making sure those learning experiences are equally meaningful. Once students are successfully using computers and other devices they can begin to evolve their technological skills to other characteristics of the 21st Century Skills in order to become successful students and adults in our society today.
My question to the authors is about resources of students. What can we do about the poverty in specific regions of our nation, like the Appalachia, where students do not have technology? Unfortunately students in these regions of extreme poverty do not have the resources, like computers, at home or in schools to foster 21st Century Skills, leaving them behind on a national and global scale. It is not just the students that have lack of resources but the States are also having issues funding schools alone, much less including technology in schools. Simply put, what could we do as a nation to stop the circle of poverty starting with technology in ALL classrooms?