Students & Learning - 21st Century goodness!

The Original Macintosh 128k

If I had to make an educated guess as to what technology students use the most, I would say the Internet has to be the most widely used technology.  The Internet is filled with so many resources that assist in education.  Unfortunately when I was a student in high school, the Internet wasn't like it was today.  The seemingly instant speed access wasn't available or cost prohibited.  If students have a choice to use a computer or read a book 9 times out of 10 the student will most likely want to use the computer and browser the Internet.  Communication programs such as AIM, Pidgin, Skype, Facebook, etc...allows students to collaborate instantly with one another.  Most of the students seem like they'd rather chat with instant messaging or text over face-to-face contact. Of American households, 71% have Web access, and Americans 13-24 now spend more time online than they do in front of the TV (Sloan & Kaihla, 2006).  Students today have grown so accustomed to the Internet that information is easily and readily available.  My generation is probably the last that knows what it was like without the Internet and the instant communications that we see today.  The method of research use to be parents dropping their children off at the library and reading books, or using CD media such as Britannica or some type of encyclopedia.  These methods are dominated by the Internet and the convenience of staying home.  I can't speak for students that I have not yet taught, but I can say from experience that when I was going to school, I expected technology to be much more up-to-date than what I used at home.  I expected access to the Internet to be more reliable if we used it, and I expected the experience to be more desirable.  In elementary school at ICCS we had "computer" which was learning the home-row keys, playing kid-pix, and learning basic computer skills.  The technology at the time was the original Apple 128k beige computers.  I'm sure the computers were hand-me-downs, but whatever the case that is where I learning computer skills.  At the time my parents didn't own a computer, so I was receiving rich multimedia skills that have impacted my education career.  Students will learn and understand differently than the peers around them, however, with technology students are able to learn all at once.  Educators can find new ways of interaction that appeals to all learners -visual, listener, and hands on.  The way we interact with technology directly impacts how a child understands the content especially if the content is fun and entertaining.  By teaching something that the student is familiar with they become more interested in learning and building upon his/her skills.  Project-based learning also builds upon what the student may know or at least is familiar with, yet forces them to use logic over a long period.  Project-based learning is imperative for students to learn because of the fast-paced society that we live in.  Students learn how to multi-task, delegate, and become responsible for their own work.  Finally making connections with technology will truly integrate and immerse the student in their work.  Immersion and interaction is the way of the 21st century and education has to adapt to these methods.  The challenge is this - find way to support in-depth learning and increased student achievement while also employing a variety of measures, including standardized tests.  If new methods engage students so they are eager to learn, allow them to aquire the ability to do so, in-depth, "real world' activities and support them (Solomon and Schrum, p41-42).