Technology Skills in the 21st Century

As our class comes to an end I decided to read and blog about why it is so important to teach 21^st century technology skills. As teachers we know how that technology can be implemented in many ways within our classrooms yet a major question occurs “why is it so important to use technology and why is it so important that out students learn to use these skills?” In his article about the importance of technological skills in the 21^st century, Bob Regan discusses how technology can provide multiple types learners of learners with options that weren’t always possible. Technology is limitless in his eyes and can provide students with the appropriate accommodations they need to successfully learn. Thinking in terms of middle school students, many of these kids are going home night after night and using these technologies in their everyday lives (i.e. numerous social networking mediums- facebook, twitter, AIM, etc.) and therefore feel comfortable and motivated by their interests. Regan noted that Sara Martin a technology coordinator at Hart-Ransom Union School District in Modesto, California said “students are more comfortable experimenting with technology and visual images because these things are often a regular part of their lives outside of school". In my past teaching experience I have seen so many students shut down when something was tricky or boring for them. I feel that it is important to listen to my students and take their interests, style, and culture and use it to their advantage. Thus, instead of banning these sites or saying school isn’t a place for them it is important to help them learn the ways of the social networking world as they learn about necessary standards (i.e. science, social studies, English, etc.). Using these forms of technology as a bridge to join communication, personal expression, and content students will be learning a plethora of information in an interdisciplinary matter that joins many skills they will use throughout their lives.