21st century education

Editor's Notes

• #4: The Direct Instruction model is a teacher directed approach to teaching. It is an effective approach for teaching factual, procedural, and conceptual knowledge. Though this model is often considered to be more “traditional”, it is still an important and effective model that can be implemented in 21st century classrooms. 21st century learners are still required to learn factual, procedural, and conceptual knowledge in efficient ways (Kilbane & Milman, 2014). Technology can be incorporated in all of the steps of the Direct Instruction model. For example, technology can serve as an excellent tool for teachers when planning. There are many web-based search engines like Google that can help teachers find useful resources. Teachers can also include videos, animation, and other resources that could be beneficial to use during the introduction step. Sites such as “TeacherTube, BrainPop, BrainPop, Jr., and Discovery Education Streaming provide access to a wide variety of multimedia teaching materials. Interactive tools such as the ActivBoard or SmartBoard would also be useful to use during any of the steps of this model. Technology could also assist in the guided practice step of this model. For example, students could use an interactive thermometer to practice telling temperature or an interactive sorting game to help students practice sorting pictures of solids, liquids, and gases. Technology could also be incorporated in the independent practice step as well. This gives students the opportunity to practice content using different medium. For example, students could use the Reflex Math program to independently practice math facts, or complete reading assignments using Raz-Kids. Finally, technology could be incorporated in the assessment step as well. Teachers could design assessments using online assessment tools like Santeo.
• #5: The Concept Attainment model of teaching is an interactive, highly engaging model that supports the development of a deep understanding concepts and the development of conceptual knowledge. This model builds on and expands students’ prior knowledge of a concept to the point of mastery. The Concept Attainment model can be a highly effective approach in 21st century classrooms. Technology could be infused during any of the different stages of this model. For example, teachers could utilize online reference tools such as dictionary.com or the visual dictionary during the planning phase. Concept mapping tools offered in programs such as Kidspiration, Freemind, or Inspiration would also be helpful during the planning stage. Examples and non-examples could be presented digitally through presentation tools such as PowerPoint or programs such as KidPix and SMART notebook. Students could demonstrate understanding in digital format both before and after learning by utilizing SMART notebook or in a word processing program (Kilbane & Milman, 2014).
• #6: The Concept Development model of teaching is an interactive, highly engaging method that challenges students to expand and refine their knowledge of concepts through different cognitive processes (Kilbane & Milman, 2014). Students are required to identify, analyze, organize and classify examples of a concept and then make generalizations about it. The critical thinking skills students are required to use with this model are directly in line with what 21st century learners need. Technology could be utilized during each step of the Concept Development model. For example, digital resources could be used to help define concepts during the planning phase. During the implementation phase, concept mapping tools such as Kidspiration could be used by students or groups of students. Word cloud tools such as Wordle could be used as well. Interactive whiteboards such as the SMART Board could be utilized for archiving student growth in conceptual understanding and thinking during lessons (Kilbane & Milman, 2014).
• #7: The Inductive model of teaching encourages the development of critical thinking skills as students explore and learn concepts in various subjects. It relies on inductive reasoning which is a kind of thinking that involves making generalizations through close examination of examples (Kilbane & Milman, 2014). Since 21st century learners are individuals, this model allows students to demonstrate their own learning and supports individual learning styles. Including technology with this model can make learning more efficient, effective, and engaging (Kilbane & Milman, 2014). Search engines such as Google can be utilized during the planning process to locate content materials and other digital media that could enhance instruction. Powerpoint or SMART Notebook could be utilized during implementation to visually present questions or share examples or nonexamples. Survey tools such as Survey Monkey could be used during the assessment phase.
• #8: The Vocabulary Acquisition model of instruction is a teacher guided model that encourages the development of vocabulary in a procedural and inductive manner. It allows students to develop a deeper understanding of vocabulary. “Studies suggest that reading comprehension is highly correlated with vocabulary knowledge”(Kilbane & Milman, 2014, p. 217). Since the 21st century learner is more culturally diverse, students are coming to our classrooms from many different places and speak many different languages, this model provides a meaningful and authentic way to learn vocabulary. Research indicates that the use of computers in vocabulary instruction has been found to be more effective than traditional methods of teaching vocabulary (Kilbane & Milman, 2014). There are many technological resources teachers could use with this model. For example, online dictionaries and thesauruses could be useful during the planning process to investigate the morphology and etymology of words. There are also visual versions of these that could be utilized for the more visual classroom learner. Digital graphic organizer tools such as Kidspiration or Popplet would also be useful to enhance planning and implementation.
• #9: The Inquiry model of teaching is designed to teach students skills, knowledge, and dispositions for thinking systematically. This model can be used when teaching content from any content matter. Since 21st century learners must “build relationships with others to pose and solve problems collaboratively and cross-culturally”(Kilbane & Milman, 2014, p. 251), the inquiry model of teaching would be quite effective. Technology could be utilized in several ways when using the Inquiry model. For example, online survey tools such as Survey Monkey would be useful during the planning stage for pre-assessment purposes. Videos, photos, simulations, or other forms of digital media could be used to pose or present the question or problem during the implementation phase. Discovery Streaming and Brain Pop are also useful websites that could stimulate student interests and learning during the lesson. Technology could also be utilized during the assessment phase that would enable students to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding in rich and descriptive ways(Kilbane & Milman, 2014).
• #10: The Problem-Based Learning model of teaching is designed to challenge students to learn and apply problem-solving skills to solve real-world problems or situations. “Problem-Based Learning model helps motivate students to learn as well as build and apply important 21st century skills” (Kilbane & Milman, 2014, p. 284). Problem solving is one of the essential skills of the 21st century learner. It also helps students develop critical thinking, cooperative, and social skills (Kilbane & Milman, 2014). “Learning in the 21st century is characterized by using information and thinking to solve problems. In the Problem-Based Learning model, students do both, resulting in their development of 21st century skills” (Kilbane & Milman, 2014, p.295). Technology could play a vital role in the Problem-Based Learning model. Research using search engines such as Google would allow students to research ideas or information to solve their problem idea. Other digital media such as audio recording, blogs video, and graphic organizer tools could all be utilized during the implementation phase of instruction. PowerPoint, Google docs, or Prezi would be useful for students to use when creating a final project or presentation to be used as an assessment.
• #11: The main idea of the Cooperative Learning model is that students work together in groups to accomplish learning goals. This model has also been identified as an effective model to foster students’ positive development of 21st century skills. Cooperative Learning models promote collaboration and communication, which are key skills of the 21st century learner. Technology can be a valuable tool to use at each stage of the Cooperative Learning model. For example, there are numerous tools students can use to communicate ideas and share things they create such as, video or audio files, Google docs, Skype, or Wikis. Video recording of positive social skills and behaviors would be an effective teaching tool to use when teaching positive social skills to students or how to work effectively as a group. Individual or group assessments could be achieved using tools such as Survey Monkey, or clickers.
• #12: The Integrative model is a purpose driven model designed to support students as they work to develop the ability to work independently. It teaches students to explore organized bodies of knowledge (Kilbane & Milman, 2014). “The Integrative model promotes students’ development of 21st century skills-particularly critical thinking skills-by engaging students in four phases of analysis” (Kilbane & Milman, 2014, p. 368). Technology can be effectively utilized in all stages of the model. Students could use a variety of digital tools such as Discovery Education, BrainPop, or Portaportal to learn about various subject matter. Smart Notebook, Prezi, or EasyBib could be utilized during different stages of the implementation phase such as visual presentation, reference list creation or audio recording.
• #13: The Socratic Seminar model is designed to use structured questioning with debate or dialogue to promote development of critical thinking skills and exploration of ideas. One of the growing trends in 21st century classrooms is an increasing emphasis on the development of students’ cognitive processes. “The Socratic Seminar model supports students’ development of them through communication, dialogue, and debate about facts, concepts, and occurrences addressed in content materials” (Kilbane & Milman, 2014, p.388). 21st century students need to be able to work cooperatively, communicate effectively, synthesize ideas, and solve problems efficiently. The Socratic Seminar method can be used to cultivate these skills when learning. Technology can be integrated throughout the Socratic model. Search engines and online databases could be utilized to research content materials. Resources such as Pinterest and Weebly would be effective resources for organizing content materials or presenting assignments. Graphic organizer tools found in Kidspiration or Inspiration or Wordle word clouds could be incorporated as part of presentations as well as Prezi or PowerPoint. Reference Kilbane,C.R. & Milman, N.B. (2014).Teaching models: Designing for 21st century learners. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.