What is 21st Century Teaching and Learning?

Part 1-Essential Question

What is 21st Century Teaching and Learning?" 

21^st century teaching and learning in education is how students of today use technology to advance their learning in this modern day digital revolution. Teachers have to create a balance to address the needs of learners with the learning experience.  Technology is an ever-changing and evolving tool that can ensure that students and teachers can keep up with the pace of innovation and stay current with today’s thinking.
Access to information is at the fingertips of students. Learning how to navigate through the vast amounts of information is tricky. Teaching students how to “evaluate, synthesize, apply and benefit from information without being overwhelmed by it (Kilbane & Milman, 2014.) is a complex notion that teachers face in today’s classroom. Instructional models, strategies and technologies can help be incorporated in learning to help synthesize learning material. Instructional models are research based ideas that help support learning by looking at academic skills in combination with learner’s skills. Every teacher should use instructional models in their classroom. An example of an instructional model is inquiry model that teaches students to problem solve using scientific discovery and practicing habits that let them learn about learning. Instructional strategies are easy ways to engage learners by to think deeper and practice ideas through visual, auditory, and kinesthetic means. An example of an instructional strategies is the use of a flowcharts or graphic organizers to express ideas.

An important aspect of teaching and learning in the 21^st century is better understand the learners in the classroom.  Students in the 21^st century are unique and creative individuals. Education can be tailored to accommodate singular needs of the learner. Instruction in the 21^st century takes an individual approach in that all students can benefit from learning through culturally responsive teaching by taking into account the cultural background of all students. The idea of a “community of learners” can create an atmosphere where each child feels respected and valued for who they are as a person and can be celebrated through lessons that are thoughtful and sensitive to the awareness of diversity. Another way to include all learners is to design lessons that use differentation in the classroom to accommodate learners of different types and of differing cognitive levels. According to the text, instructional design can “maximize learning opportunities for all students” (Kilbane & Milman, 2014). Teachers approach lesson planning with lots of consideration of student readiness and make sure technology is used in ways that are effective, engaging and efficient.

Teachers in the 21^st century should take on the mindset of an education designer. Educators have to be intentional in teaching by using systematic approaches to instruction.  To meet the diverse needs of learners, teachers use instructional design models like ADDIE to help understand learners, context of the lesson and the learning environment.  Another valuable model of learning that broadens learning is TPACK. Teachers can use TPACK to develop effective instruction that supports not only students’ thinking but the way in which they think. “Teachers develop TPACK by applying instructional approaches, such as the ADDIE model, to the planning, design, development, implementation and evaluation of instruction.” (Kilbane & Milman, 2014). A carefully planned approach can be executed when teachers use these technologies to define their learning and strengthen learner’s cognitive skill. Teachers, themselves, should never stop learning. Educators must be vigilant to keep updated with evolving technology to support how we teach, and what we are teaching.