EED 509 - Module 1 Assignment

Module 1 - Part 1 Essential Question: What is 21st Century Teaching and Learning?

Before reading, I felt as though 21st Century Teaching and Learning simply meant teaching in the modern era.  I interpreted it as meaning “not being too old school.” I assumed 21st Century Teaching and Learning referred to student-centered classrooms with the latest technology, but now I realize that it means much more. It requires teachers to take on the role of an educational designer. But first, we must understand what an educational designer actually is. When I think about an interior designer, I envision someone that is not only aware what a particular space needs in order to be functional, but also how to put the components of the room together, and which tools to use to assemble the pieces. An educational designer works in a similar manner - first, determining WHAT needs to be taught; then, planning and researching the best way to teach the content; and finally gathering the best tools to accomplish the goal.  According to  Teaching Models: Designing Instruction for 21st Century Learners, "An educational designer is a teacher who approaches instruction with intention and clear goals. He or she applies specialized knowledge and skills to identify and frame instructional challenges and addresses them using a broad repertoire of instructional models, strategies, and technologies. Being an educational designer requires a new mind-set, a broad skill set, and a high-quality tool set." (page 4) Milman, Natalie B., Kilbane, Clare R. Teaching Models: Designing Instruction for 21st Century Learners.. [Yuzu].

To me, 21st Century Teaching and Learning requires teachers to be continuously evolving and learning along with their students. 21st Century Teachers have to be willing to adapt and change with the times. What has always worked may no longer be the most effective or most efficient method. 21st Century Teaching and Learning also means demonstrating a clear understanding of the “new” Bloom’s taxonomy, which encompasses not only “how” you learn, but the different types of knowledge you can obtain. Educational designers in the 21st century are required to use a backward approach to planning. This means they have clear ideas about the goals they want their students to achieve and can determine the best instructional methods and strategies to get there. Educational designers have to approach instructional planning with a purpose in mind, use the specialized knowledge they possess, and  identify and address instructional challenges. (page 22) Milman, Natalie B., Kilbane, Clare R. Teaching Models: Designing Instruction for 21st Century Learners.. [Yuzu]. As teachers, we are expected to design relevant, engaging lessons while implementing tools that provide our students with the greatest opportunity for success. 

21st Century Teachers have to be prepared and equipped to educate 21st Century Learners. Students today are very different from the students we once were. Children are growing up in a world where technology is readily available and constantly changing. If we want to provide our students with the skills they need to be successful, we have to research and comprehend this technology. Another way students today are unique is because they are coming from more and more culturally diverse backgrounds. 21 Century Teachers should practice culturally responsible pedagogy. Teaching Models: Designing Instruction for 21st Century Learners states that "culturally responsive pedagogy is teaching that incorporates, embraces, and fosters the academic success of all students by acknowledging students’ cultural backgrounds and finds ways to integrate them into the curriculum." Milman, Natalie B., Kilbane, Clare R. Teaching Models: Designing Instruction for 21st Century Learners.. [Yuzu].  Today, exceptionalities are identified more than ever before, and we have to be prepared to provide equitable learning experiences to ALL students. A 21 Century Teacher should have the instructional strategies to differentiate his or her instruction. There is no "one size fits all" approach. Teaching in the 21st Century requires educators to adapt the way we think about teaching, how we teach it, and what we use to teach it.