Updating the current curriculum to support the needs of the 21st century learner poses many challenges for our educators. Educators are often unfamiliar with the current technology and the resources available to enhance the learning experience. Curriculum 21 discusses many of these challenges and provides ideas and/or solutions for change. The Socially Networked Classroom takes the ideas and theories from Curriculum 21 and puts them into action, providing examples of technology enhanced learning even when media resources are minimal.
Learning can occur in all situations, whether it is a game, activity, discussion, creative project, or use of social networking. Old content combined with the new media age brings the curriculum to life in a way that it is relevant to the 21st century learner. Online portfolios can be used to showcase a students work which can be made available for classroom viewer as well as world wide views. Global discussions as well as classroom discussions can be initiated through the use of student portfolios.
Global discussions give students an insight into other cultures and languages, making students more culturally competent. Technology in the classroom is a vital element in teaching the 21st century learner.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Essential Curriculum for a New Time
How might we determine the year that we are preparing our learners for? What years should we be preparing them for?
The nursing profession is surrounded by evidence-based practice, technological advances, and complex medical conditions. Nursing practice and the medical profession has changed drastically since Florence Nightingale's days in nursing. There has been numerous changes within the past 6 years that I have been a registered nurse. Despite all the changes that are occurring around us, nursing curriculum and the way it is taught remains about the same. Old curriculum provides a sense of comfort and stability for educators, if it has been effective for the past 100 years, why change things now? Change is inevitable, and the fear of change holds many of us back.
As educators we need to give our students the knowledge and tools needed for a lifetime of learning. We don't need to prepare our students for a specific year; by providing them with essential tools, students can adapt and change as society continues to evolve. Integrating old content with new content and technology brings education to the 21st century.
The nursing profession is surrounded by evidence-based practice, technological advances, and complex medical conditions. Nursing practice and the medical profession has changed drastically since Florence Nightingale's days in nursing. There has been numerous changes within the past 6 years that I have been a registered nurse. Despite all the changes that are occurring around us, nursing curriculum and the way it is taught remains about the same. Old curriculum provides a sense of comfort and stability for educators, if it has been effective for the past 100 years, why change things now? Change is inevitable, and the fear of change holds many of us back.
As educators we need to give our students the knowledge and tools needed for a lifetime of learning. We don't need to prepare our students for a specific year; by providing them with essential tools, students can adapt and change as society continues to evolve. Integrating old content with new content and technology brings education to the 21st century.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
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