What is 21st Century Teaching and

Learning?
Since 2000, technology has transformed the way we pay bills, find jobs, and plan vacations. Computer
technology has changed the way that students study, listen to music, socialize, and communicate. These
trends signify a shift in our culture and economy. The digital economy is rapidly transforming nearly every aspect
our lives by "flattening" our world.
The fundamentals of education - reading, writing, math, and science - continue to provide the foundation for
learning. However, these fundamentals must now be married to 21st Century skills: computer and technology skills,
critical thinking and problem-solving skills, teamwork and collaboration, and citizenship and global literacy.
How do we prepare our students for life and work in the 21st Century? This question has driven many conversations
and initiatives that have altered the landscape of the traditional classroom. The Classrooms for the Future
professional development initiatives are providing teachers the tools to navigate this transition and use technology to
enhance learning across the content areas.
Throughout the school district, students use technology tools to enhance their learning experiences. As kindergarten,
elementary, and middle school students utilize a wide range of technologies to enhance learning, Strath Haven High
School must build upon these firm foundations and expand the bridge to the 21st Century. New and developing
curricula must be interdisciplinary, project-based, and research-driven. Instructional practices must be differentiated
to address the needs of all learners.
The use of Web 2.0 applications will help us to facilitate this transformation. The term "Web 2.0" refers to the latest
developments in web-based communities: social networking sites, video sharing sites, podcasting, blogs, and wikis.
This shift also involves the use of specialized software to enhance project-based learning and encourage higher order
critical thinking skills.
By
Xaras Collins
Tech Integrator K-12 for WSSD
Sources
21st Century Skills: http://eschoolnews.com/new/top-news/(adapted from What is 21st
Century Education?)
Report: Retool Instruction, or U.S. Will Fail: http://www.p21.org/.