Digital Learning in the 21st Century



21st Century learners, or “Screenagers” as Ian Jukes describes in Understanding The Digital Generation, have been connected to iPads, smartphones, laptops, and other digital devices since they were born.  Screens take on a greater role in their lives than they did for my generation growing up.  “Screens are not just for passive viewing and consumption,” they are the central part of young people’s lives. (Ian Jukes Understanding The Digital Generation, 2013)  He goes on to describe how the intelligence we are born with is fixed; a term called neuroplasticity.  21st Century learners’ brains are wired differently, and in turn, require different approaches to learning than decades prior. 

Technology in the modern classroom is one way children’s learning experiences are evolving.  With 97% of teachers having one or more computers in the classroom, the educational model is transforming. (Watanabe-Crockett, 2016)  Teachers' lectures are being replaced by video lessons in a flipped classroom setting.  Students are collaborating and communicating with others in distant locations via online communication methods such as Skype or Google Hangouts.  Parents are staying more connected, tracking homework and student progress through Learning Management Systems, such as Canvas or Moodle.

According to Susan Jarmuz-Smith (2015), “Having devices that help create flexible learning environments is critical.” (Flanigan)  Last Spring, I was part of the taskforce selected for my district’s device study, and therefore know that selecting a device for students to use does not come easily.  Options are considered, tests run, and eventually, a device is hopefully chosen.  Bob Moore asserts there are 4 factors that must be considered when deciding on which device to use for digital learning. (Moore)
1.    What is the complete range of learning activities that students will engage in?
2.    What content, applications, and resources (e.g. peripherals) will students require?
3.    How will the devices be managed?
4.    What is the true cost of the device?

While I already have MacBook Airs in my classroom, I want to explore other options, particularly Chromebooks since my students will all be equipped with their own Chromebook starting in Fall 2019.  It’s imperative that I, too, understand the uses and benefits of using the device so that I can incorporate meaningful, relevant, and authentic lessons.  With Chromebooks comes numerous possibilities for students, which are outlined below.  They are also lightweight, can transform into a tablet-like device, and hold their charge long enough for a student to use for the course of an entire school day. 

Google Chromebook

Cost: $249-$600
Website: https://www.google.com/chromebook/find-yours/


Uses:
  • Google Drive (Docs, Slides, Forms)
    • Research and writing prompts
    • Presentations
    • Conducting class polls
    • Teacher/class survey
    • Exit tickets
    • Collaboration
      • Provides quick feedback
      • Holds kids accountable
  • Flipped Classroom
    • YouTube
    • TED Ed
  • Assignments/Assessments
    • Mind Mapping (MindMeister)
    • NewsELA
    • Access to online textbooks
  • Blogger
    • Class discussions
    • Exit slips
  • Deliver Curriculum
    • Google Drive connects to Canvas (LMS)
  • Video Projects
    • WeVideo


I have also explored uses of Classroom Response Systems, such as Kahoot!, Socrative, Poll Everywhere, and Quizlet Live, in the classroom.  In this post I will be focusing on Kahoot!

Kahoot!

Cost: Free
Access: www.kahoot.com

Uses:
  • Pre-assess students
  • Review games
    • Playing in Team Mode boosts collaboration
  • Homework - Assign a Challenge
  • Extra practice for reinforcement of a topic
  • Formative assessment
  • Learners as Leaders
    • Students create their own Kahoot! to challenge classmates and demonstrate their learning

Both digital devices would be an enhancement to my classroom.  With my MacBook Airs, I can do the same activities as I would on a Chromebook.  Next year, every middle school student in my district will have their own personal Chromebook to use, so I know I will be utilizing that particular device more.  I have used Kahoot! a couple of times before for review games as a whole-class activity.  After researching the uses of Kahoot! in the classroom, I see there are far more possibilities for its uses!

Digital learning devices are most beneficial when they can do something that students could not previously accomplish without the device. (Lynch, 2017)  For example, Digital Literacy, which is a topic of focus in my ELA classroom.  As 21st Century Learners, students need to be able to find, evaluate, produce, and evaluate comprehensible information across various digital platforms.  The devices used in my classroom allow for that learning, plus so much more.








References:
Flanigan, R. L. (2015, June 10). Choosing the Right Digital Learning Device. Retrieved from Education Week: https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2015/06/11/choosing-the-right-digital-learning-device.html
Ian Jukes Understanding The Digital Generation. (2013, July 9). Retrieved from https://youtu.be/5kDt55RTTHo
Lynch, M. (2017, July 30). How to Choose the RIght Digital Learning Device. Retrieved from The Tech Edvocate: https://www.thetechedvocate.org/choose-right-digital-learning-device/
Moore, B. (n.d.). Choosing the Right Device for Digital Learning. Intel.
Watanabe-Crockett, L. (2016, January 31). How is Technology Changing the Modern Classroom? [Infographic]. Retrieved from Global Digital Citizen: https://globaldigitalcitizen.org/technology-changing-modern-classroom-infographic


Comments

  1. mreynolds6205September 15, 2018 at 8:58 AM

    Amanda, great post. The information from Moore will be extremely helpful in my own search for devices to use. I like the layout of this post with the graphics interspersed throughout the text. I am curious, did you use the free version of Kahoot or does the district have a subscription? Did you find it difficult to use? Also, can it be set up for just your class or does anyone who uses Kahoot have access?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. aschweigerSeptember 15, 2018 at 10:05 AM

      Thank you, Mark! For my use at school, I have only used the free version of Kahoot! for review games at the end of a novel study. Students love to compete, and this allows them the chance to have a friendly competition with their peers. Setting up a quiz game is very easy (there is also an option to spark discussions that I would like to try). Once you have input your questions and answer choices, you will be provided an access code to give to students for logging in. Quick and easy. The only downside is making sure you and your students have a good connection. In the past, kids have logged in on their phones, so they were dependent on strong service in order to input their answers the fastest. With the school version, all Kahoots are accessible by anyone. I haven't found a way (yet) to make them private for just my classes. There are some pros and cons with that. Pro: I am able to access other Kahoots and can add to them. Con: My Kahoots are out there (so making sure there isn't any private information shared is important).

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