Strategies to Engage 21st Century Learners

Students today are different. They have to be. They grew up in a digital age that continues to evolve quickly. 21st Century Skills, critical thinking and problem-solving, communication, collaboration, creativity, and innovation are essential skills necessary to be able to compete and thrive in a global marketplace. This is the challenge for today's teachers - providing these skills while engaging their students in learning.

A strategy I will use in my classroom to engage students will be integrating technology in my lessons. This is what they know and are interested in. There are many tools to reinforce learning while stressing and honing 21st century skills. Teaching with an interactive whiteboard allows students to manipulate it, or work together in groups. Using and encouraging technology for projects, such as iMovie, or Presi, or creating a blog, also utilize 21st century skills.  Another strategy I will use is cultivating a safe environment. By showing students that there are times I may need some of their help, or that things do not always work out as planned, I hope that they will feel it is okay to make mistakes, learn from them, and move on, or simply adjust. I believe students will engage more because they feel comfortable and that they contribute to the learning environment also as a producer, not just a consumer.

This class, Technology for Teachers, prepared me for this challenge of engaging my students by giving me real tools to integrate technology in the classroom. It also was a safe environment where I felt that it was okay to explore, ask questions, and realize that sometimes we need to make adjustments. My professor's philosophy of teaching, interactions with the class, and sharing her experiences proved to be an invaluable resource and example of how I want to lead my students. These things are what I loved about this class and I feel I have much to take away and put into my teacher's toolbox for my future career.

Interactive Whiteboards in the Classroom

When used effectively and efficiently, an interactive whiteboard can be an engaging tool in the classroom and actually increase student achievement significantly. Having students interact with the whiteboard, having a clear objective and using it as a tool toward those means equals success.  Like anything, it can be misused or not used to the students' advantage, and even thwart achievement. This is why teachers need strategies when planning lessons with interactive whiteboards.  These include:

• Staying organized - have a clear objective and have that carry through
• Be creative - but not overly creative. Be careful not to cross the line into distracting - the goal is that the students retain the information
• Utilize the tools available
• Allow students to interact
• Keep it FUN