And They Said You'd Never Use Algebra in the Real World.... Vision of Technology Integration

Education is constantly evolving. Curricula are evaluated and adjusted on a regular basis. Standards are assessed and adopted. And instruction is no different. How things are being taught needs to be a flexible and creative art.

Today's 21st Century learners:

are highly relational and demand quick access to new knowledge...they are capable of learning at a whole new level (Blair, 2012).

In turn, it is our role as 21st Century educators to provide students with the opportunity to manipulate, interact, and engage in their education via technology integration.

If we, as educators, refuse to modify our approach to teaching we will miss out on valuable educational opportunities and connections to, and with, our students. It is a disservice to limit a student's education to cut-and-dry text from 15 years ago when so much modern and relevant material is readily available and accessible in the form of technology integration. 

The state of New Hampshire, along with 42 other states, has adopted the Common Core Standards. The overarching goal of the Common Core Standards is to prepare today's students for life after high school; whether that is college bound or career based (NGA Center & CCSSO, 2014). These standards aim to provide students with the tools necessary for successful and productive futures. The reality of it is that life outside of school is digital. Its connected. Its interactive and interrelated. Technology plays countless roles in everyday life. If we have agreed to prepare students for college or careers post high school, how can we effectively do so without the integration of technology into our classrooms? It would be virtually impossible to adequately and successfully achieve the goals of the Common Core Standards without the implementation of technology. 

Teachthought.com (Heick, 2012) has created a visual of 21st Century Learning. It depicts the major characteristics that combine to form a solidified image of today's education.

As I read through each component of 21st Century Learning I mentally replaced the central circle (21st Century Learning) with Technology Integration. Technology Integration shares each of the characteristics depicted in the above diagram.

Technology in the classroom provides:

• Learner-Centered Learning
• Data-Rich Learning
• Transfer-by-Design Learning
• Personalized Learning
• Media-Driven Learning
• Adaptable Learning
• Visibly Relevant Learning 
• Diverse Learning and
• Interdependent Learning

As does 21st Century Learning. 

Essentially, it all comes back to the transitive property taught in Algebra 1. The transitive property states if A = B and B = C then A = C. Likewise, if 21st Century Learning = 9 components above and 9 components above = Technology Integration then 21st Century Learning = Technology Integration. 

Technology not only opens the door to endless possibilities for educational material and resources, it also is a wonderful strategy for incorporating a wide variety of students' needs. From physical disabilities to learning style preferences and everything in between, integrating technology allows educational material to be manipulated and transferred in manner above and beyond classroom textbooks and pen and paper assignments.  

I believe technology belongs in our classrooms. I do not feel as though technology necessarily needs to be the centerpiece of each and every lesson or that good, ol' fashioned learning doesn't have a time and place in today's classrooms as well. I do however, feel that technology integration is a huge tool for enhancing students motivation to learn as well as their deeper understanding of subject material, and provides real life applicability. To have success in 21st Century Learning for all students, we must include technology integration in our classrooms.


References:
Blair, N. (2012, Feburary 1). Technology Integration for the New 21st Century Learner. Retrieved September 23, 2014, from http://www.naesp.org/principal-januaryfebruary-2012-technology/technology-integration-new-21st-century-learner

The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. (2014, January 1). Transitive law (logic and mathematics). Retrieved September 23, 2014, from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/602836/transitive-law

Heick, T. (2012, August 31). 9 Characteristics of 21st Century Learning. Retrieved September 23, 2014, from http://www.teachthought.com/learning/9-characteristics-of-21st-century-learning/

NGA Center and CCSSO. (2014, January 1). Preparing America's students for success. Retrieved September 23, 2014, from http://www.corestandards.org/

Pellicciotti. (2012, January 1). The 21st Century Kid - Learning for Life in Our Times! Retrieved September 23, 2014, from http://wwpk-3.sharpschool.com/tc_teachers/grade_levels/grade_3/mrs__pellicciotti/21st_century_learners/