What Does 21st Century Learning Look Like? NASA, STEM, PBL

·    WHAT DOES 21^ST CENTURY LEARNING LOOK LIKE? 

      Well it is certainly very different from the learning environment you and I grew up in and learned from, but as educators we are being asked to deliver something we are completely unfamiliar with and excel at it too.  So what does it really look like?  Well begin with your state and national standards in the core subject areas.  The skills required of 21^st century learning require development and implementation of these standards allowing students to acquire the knowledge and understanding necessary to be able to think critically and communicate effectively.  Think of this as the foundation. 

·    FUTURE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT  

      The core subject areas of STEM Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics combines integrated learning to investigate real world problems.  It is a cohesive approach to learning that allows for deeper understanding of supporting components and gives students the ability to apply what they have learned using technology and engineering elements.  The opportunity to learn and practice problem-solving and develop solutions leads to 21^st century workforce skill development:

o   Reasoning Skills

o   Analyze and Evaluate Evidence / Revise Explanation

o   Make Connections between Information and Arguments

o   Interpret / Draw Conclusions

o   Reflect on Experience

o   Articulate Orally / Written / Nonverbally

o   Effective Use of Multimedia / Technologies

NASA / PROJECT BASED LEARNING  To strengthen future workforce, attract and retain students in STEM, engage Americans in NASA mission….

Many of the innovations and improvements we have witnessed in our own lives have come from advancements made by NASA engineers trying to solve a problem.  Problem-based or Project-based learning is a vehicle used to engage students as they discover information they need to solve a problem.  It begins with something that is relevant to them and asks students to arrive at a solution or a way to adapt to the problem. 

This is the essence of 21^st century learning and STEM education.  It is the integration of core knowledge and understanding, skills, and future workforce preparation to thrive in a global economy. 

Visit my Panoramio

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Web 2.0 Tools Panoramio

I investigated Panoramio because of its connection to Google Earth.  My students are already familiar with Google Earth and many digital cameras come equipped with tagging options so I found Panoramio to be a tool that students could easily learn and use in no time.  It’s also the tool I use to investigate new travel spots before I go.  You will see my Zion National Park picture which was a direct result of a search in Google Earth for a new and interesting vacation spot near Las Vegas when we visited during Spring Break a few years ago.  Enjoy

·         WHY I LIKE IT   It is a Google product and it integrates seamlessly into my Google account as well as the apps on my smart phone.

·         IS IT EASY?    Sure it is.  If you already have a Google account just sign in and upload your photos.  It is easier than flickr because they give you 10 upload slots with 25 MB to upload all at once.  Flickr makes you upload with a 2 MB limit per photo.

·         TAG IT   Want to make sure other people can find your photos too?  Make sure you select your sharing level and then tag it on Google Earth using their easy to use search panel.  Select some key words for searching and add a description.  You are done.

·         DOING MORE   Panoramio also allows you to join a group and blog in the same space.  I joined a group that gave me a challenge.  The group is called “The Elements: Earth, Fire, Wind, Water, and Pizza.”  The challenge is to get all five so called elements in the same photo in a novel and interesting way. 

·         SO HOW WOULD YOU USE THIS?  This is a fantastic tool.  The purpose of Web 2.0 tools is to get your students to collaborate and communicate.  A public site that allows students free access to stock photography gives them access to resources that they may not be able to use otherwise due to copyright laws.  Panoramio gives students a creative zone where they can share their own creations in a global space.  I love the idea of joining a group that gives you a challenge to become a member and have to share something with a set of rules.  It gets me thinking about how I can incorporate pizza in some creative photography.  I can only imagine what a kid would do with that task.  The possibilities are endless.  In fact I would bet that given the tool the kids could figure out a project for themselves.  All I have to do is facilitate…wait isn’t that 21^st century learning?

BUILDING BETTER INSTRUCTION

·         INSUFFICIENTLY PREPARED  It is clear that the demands being made on our students now are insufficiently preparing them for the future demands that will be required of them.  We are turning a corner in education and we are recognizing that we must change our methodology and practice, but are we really resistant to change or are we lacking in opportunity and support to implement the change?  Switching to 21^st century learning skills and project based curriculum requires ongoing support from educational leadership and the community.  Professional development that is relevant and high quality is vitally necessary. 

·         BLOOM, MARZANO, RICHARDSON   Based on the meta-analysis by Marzano, Debra Pickering, and Jane Pollock nine categories of instructional strategies were identified that are most likely to lead to student achievement all of which are to promote changes in student behavior thus increasing motivation and achievement.  This analysis mirrors the characteristics of 21^st century learning as well as the New Bloom’s Taxonomy.  Learning is authentic, real-world based, student centered, includes higher order thinking skills, and collaborative rather than competitive.  As Richardson has most recently posted on his blog “Easier vs Better” are we doing what we are doing because it is better or is it just easier?

·         STUDENT BLOGGERS    In the article e-learning 2.0 the author brings up an interesting point.  He states that blogging is particularly motivating for students because they have an instant audience for their work.  It gives them a place to discuss how they feel about the topic which involves higher order thinking skills.  They must consider their own thinking (metacognitive skills) and how it relates to the content and how they feel about it.  It gives them a place to take risks.  In a recent article I read about the teenage brain the researcher talked about how the teenage brain values rewards much more than an adult even for the same event.  One example involved risk-taking behavior and how an adult may decide not to do something because the risk compared to the reward is too great.  The same activity can be viewed by the teenager as the reward being worth the risk.