Module+4+Reflection


 * Reflect on your thinking surrounding your developing a philosophy of Instructional Technology use for learning and your understanding of 21st Century Teaching and Learning.**


 * __Describe:__** We read Chapter 3 of ISTE’s and various sources on 21st Century Skills and the importance of them for our students.

__**Impact:**__ Before this module, I was unfamiliar with the term 21st century skills and its meaning. After developing my Instructional Technology philosophy and research about 21st century skills, I now understand how imperative it is for our students to be developing these skills NOW! By the time they enter the world independently, they will have to have the proper higher order thinking skills as well as technological skills if they want to be successful in our fast paced world. As their teacher, it is my job to understand these skills and how to develop them in my students. The most important skills I think I need to instill in my students are: problem solving, critical and creative thinking and collaboration and communication. They also need to be able to competently use a variety of digital tools to perform various tasks. We, as educators, need to make the shift from 20th century teaching to 21st century instruction to better suit the needs of learners and give them the chance to become independent thinkers who are capable of succeeding in a technology driven world!

__**Intent:**__ After learning about 21st Century skills, I thought of several new ways I could incorporate these skills into my lessons. I always do a question of the day. Instead of always doing a question to help my students prepare for the OAA, I could incorporate a question that involved critical or creative thinking. When we do labs - I could try and do a collaborative lab with a class in another location, so my students could compare results and communicate findings. I could also incorporate more use of digital tools into my labs so students become proficient in technological tools. I don’t want it to be a “treat” when they get to use a computer or iPad. I want it to become part of their everyday learning so they are prepared to the best of my ability to become active participants in a world full of opportunities.