21st+Century+Learning+-+Streid

Part I - Belief Statement

The 21st Century Classroom is critical to incorporate into student’s learning because as the Vision of Learning document states, “Students will be hired to do jobs that might not exist yet.” As a teacher, this is frustrating in many ways because how are we supposed to prepare them for something for a world we don’t know what employment will exist? All I can do is continue to educate myself constantly in what my students are getting their hands on in the realm of technology and their “21st Century” knowledge to inform my education and engage students in a world that is constantly evolving. Ahhh!! It’s exhausting to think about!! The ecosystem that I chose to focus on was Information, Media and Technology Literate. This ecosystem is a stepping stone to begin to become more aware of all of the different media messages and technology that my students are exposed on a daily basis. The Google sites that I created will foster this ecosystem within my classroom, but it is only a portal for my students to access the tools they will need to become 21st Century learners. Because of the above quote that I mentioned, I need to do the best that I can to take on that responsibility as an educator and create a learning environment that will address all of those 21st century skills that they will need to be successful in the world they will be employed. As an English 11 (junior) instructor, this becomes a reality with my students in two years and I want to ensure that they have the 21st Century skills to succeed in whatever their pathway is in their life.

My students’ learning should be impacted immensely through the 21st ecosystems because it encompasses best practice teaching. This summer, I have started to shift my instructional focus as a result of learning more about the 21st century and the Common Core. This focus includes an awareness of the 21st century ecosystems on a regular basis, so they are a well-rounded individual in all the skills they need for society. These ecosystems and the Common Core are so intertwined for 21st Century learning.

Common Core requires that all modules (units) include:
 * Reading (Informational and Literature)
 * Writing (narrative, persuasive, etc)
 * Speaking & Listening
 * Research
 * Language (vocabulary, sentence complexity, etc)

Allowing my students to go more in-depth with these Common Core topics partnered with the 21st Century learning is where the rigorous instruction begins. Currently, when my students are asked to read something or write an essay the have the mentality of, “One and Done.” Kelly Gallagher (author/teacher) preached this at a workshop I went to and I really know this is what my students do; they read and write something once and they are ready for the next task. Students need to be able to look at reading and writing tasks through different lenses with different purpose each time. For example, read for comprehension the first time and then deeper analysis of various connections, author’s craft/purpose, etc. It’s the same idea with the writing and making numerous revisions. In my current practice, I have observed (especially in special education) students doing what they need for the “grade” nor for the sake of learning more. This will make my students adaptable and this will prepare them when their employer expects an in-depth analysis through writing and in-depth interpretation of what they read. Then, the layer of students becoming inquisitive critical thinkers and problem solvers and strong communicators.

The way my courses have been revamped and structured for this upcoming school year should encompass the vision of learning in the 21st Century in it’s entirety. They are going to be engaged in more discussions and thinking, which should provide a more rigorous classroom environment. I am excited to work on this new approach to my classroom.


 * Artifact 1: Google Sites (Reading & English 11) **

[|Reading Intervention]

[|English 11]


 * Artifact 2: Google Introduction Survey**

[|Class Introduction Survey]

Both of these artifacts should be a good starting point for my students to have more access to the information; forcing the students to take more responsibility for their learning and reflecting on class instruction. The first artifact is two links for the sites that I created for my students to have access to all of the instructional tools used during class. The second artifact is the google survey that I plan to use on a more regular basis for numerous purposes. Throughout the year, students will be given regular opportunities to reflect on current instruction (ticket out the door), their individual learning, progress monitoring data collection, etc. I am anxious to begin this process as I think it will be a more efficient way to house the data from the tasks that they are asked to do (especially in the intervention class).