iSTUDENT The 21st-Century Learner
By Karen Brown , President of the Baldwin-Whitehall School Board
Google , iTunes , tablets , iPads , Instagram , iPhones , Snapchat , oh my ! Technology continues to change and improve on a daily basis and our students have access to the world at their fingertips ! Do teachers wonder how they can possibly educate the new 21st-Century learner ? Do parents wonder how they can possibly keep up with their children and the technology ? A learner will need to have specific skills to compete in the world in which they will be working . Those skills include critical thinking , problem solving , creativity , collaboration , communication , reflection , innovation , and of course , technology . How are we , the teachers and parents , as 20th-Century learners , equipped to meet all these needs ?
We must first rethink the teacher as more of a coach or facilitator role , rather than one that gives all the information . With technology at their fingertips , students can quickly find facts and answers to literal questions . Students need to be taught how to be self-directed learners and take responsibility for their learning . They need to be taught how to use the skills mentioned above and then practice them throughout their school years .
Teachers can change our classrooms to accomplish these challenges . The integration of the arts and technology as tools supporting global education in all subject areas has to be the new focus of education . A second focus is the approach to learning so that students begin to make decisions about how they need to learn .
Some of the other changes that need to occur include an emphasis on student grouping based on readiness , interest and learning styles , the use of time and space , and the infusion of technology and electronic resources as tools . As Baldwin-Whitehall moves to 1:1 technology , we will equip the students with ready access to applications and online resources at any time during
the school day and in any setting in the school as well as at home . The students will be able to decide how to demonstrate their learning and / or to report their findings through the use of 1:1 technology .
The Baldwin-Whitehall Board of School Directors is committed to reaching this goal . We have established technology as one of our board goals . The administration , under the leadership of the Director of Instructional Technology , Dr . Janeen Peretin , has developed a fouryear plan to help us achieve this goal for students in grades 6-12 . The elementary will also be adding to their use of technology with creation stations and more classroom technology .
We continue to explore ways to help fund and sustain this initiative . The board has committed to keeping technology in the yearly budget . The administration continues to explore grants and partnerships . We have established a technology fund as an alternative source to help fund the initiative . We are reaching out to vendors and community businesses to ask for help . The website has a link for donations from community members and alumni . Check it out ! http :// baldwinwhitehall . cyberschool . com / District / Department / 11-Technology
It is possible for 20th-Century teachers and parents to teach the 21st-Century learner . It can be done in practical , innovative ways . It takes collaboration , communication , creativity , innovation , problem solving , technology , and reflection to make this new way of learning a success . Engage in the process and watch the students achieve and reach new heights as they prepare for the world around them and to perform jobs that haven ’ t even been developed yet . aldwin-Whitehall
CITY BALDWIN-WHITEHALL OF MCKEESPORT NEWS SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
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GAME CHANGING IDEAS WORTH SPREADING – TEDX AT BHS
On April 20 , join us for two sessions during which members of the BHS student body , faculty , administration , and greater community will inspire you with their ideas worth spreading , revolving around the theme for our 2017 talks – game changers .
BHS TEDx – Game Changers April 20 , 2017 12:00-2:00 p . m . and 7:00-9:30 p . m . tedxbhs . com
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