Digital+Tools+for+21st+Century+Schools

=Digital Tools for 21st Century Learning =

//**Did you know**// (according to a recent NCES study):
 * 60% of minorities in America do not successfully complete grade 12?
 * 39% believe that school work will have any bearing on their success in later life?
 * 28% of 12th grade high school students believe that school work is meaningful?
 * 21% believe that their courses are interesting?

//**Ask yourself:**//
 * Why are kids in our classrooms?
 * Would kids be in your classroom if they didn't have to be there?
 * Are they there because they want to be there or because they have no other choice?

media type="custom" key="8024528"

Video: I Need My Teachers to Learn 2.2

//If kids have to be there, what can we begin to do differently to help more students want to be in our classes more of the time?//

We are [|digital immigrants]. Our students are [|digital natives]. Today's students were born with a mouse in hand and have grown up with the assumption that images on a screen are supposed to be manipulated and interacted with - that screens aren't just for passive consumption. They have become "screenagers" operating at twitch speed. Their brains are wired differently than ours.

**The Gap Between Digital Learners & Traditional Teachers**

 * ~ Digital Learners Prefer: ||~ Many Educators Prefer: ||
 * receiving info quickly from multiple multimedia sources || slow & controlled release of info from limited sources ||
 * parallel processing & multi-tasking || singular processing & single or limited tasking ||
 * processing pictures, sounds color, & video before text || to provide text before pictures, sounds & video ||
 * random access to hyper-linked multimedia information || to provide info linearly, logically & sequentially ||
 * to network simultaneously with many others || students to work independently before they network & interact ||
 * to learn “just-in-time” || to teach “just-in-case” ||
 * instant gratification & immediate rewards || deferred gratification & delayed rewards ||
 * learning that’s relevant, active, instantly useful & fun || feel compelled to teach to the curriculum guide & tests ||

Take time to honor and respect your students. Immerse yourself in the 21st century digital world. Put yourself on a "digital diet". Each month commit to learning a new and different digital tool.
 * Learn the tool
 * Learn how to use the tool
 * Learn to use the tool to create your own digital resources and content

For a list of tools to begin with visit: WebTools4u2use

Resources: Jukes, Ian. Understanding Digital Kids (DKs) Teaching and Learning in the New Digital Landscape. The InfoSavvy Group, July, 2008. Jukes, Ian. Closing the Digital Divide: 7 Things Education and Educators Need to Do. The InfoSavvy Group, May, 2008.