21st Century Classroom Changes

The 21^st Century is a time of great change in not only the classroom but also the developing world. It has become the age of technology with technological advances that have aided and some even believe have changed the way society works.  People around the world have become more connected with each other. There has become a need for understanding this interaction even more and education in this society has taken on a responsibility of influencing how students are developing in a futuristic society. Education has taken on the role to provide information and instill values in our students in not only core subject areas but also about change, interdependence, identity and diversity, rights and responsibilities, peace building, poverty and wealth, sustainability and global justice. Education is key in developing skills of cooperation, shared responsibility, critical thinking, communication, values and positive attitudes. These all are enhanced in this day in age through the use of technology and social media.

The role of the teacher is changing in how the information is presented to the students. It is moving away from solely paper and pencil and word of mouth to databases full of information greater than we could have ever imagined. As teachers we must make sure to create lessons and activities that engage with the students using different technologies and ways of using this information. Oftentimes students may know more about technology that even we ourselves do as they are being born and raised in a time where technology is intertwined into their entire lives. We must build on their knowledge as well to help them learn to their greatest potentials.

The role of the learner is changing by how they relate what they have learned to their lives outside of school. Students are connected to technology around them with the use of social media, the internet and cell phones. Students have become very dependent on technology and if used in the correct way can be extremely beneficial to their learning. They must be aware of the dangers and how much trust they put on it but in all as long as they are conscious and can create their personal views on the subject matter then technology should be embraced. With technology and what it can do, students are becoming more independent and have gained the ability to search for information easier than ever before.