Preparing students for the economy in which they will be entering is critical even though the economic landscape is exponentially changing. Being intentional about how to prepare students to enter the economy as technically literate is essential for their future. To do this, we must teach both technical skills and foster creative innovation. Preparing students in this way might mean that students spend more time on computers, but it will eventually increase efficiency, allowing more time for individualized instruction and creative exercises.
Assimilating specific content is like lifting weights while teaching creativity is like stretching. Both are important but in different ways. One helps with speed, while another helps with agility. Being able to pivot in one's career is essential based on the rate of change in our economy and professional landscapes.
All assumptions must be questioned when preparing students to enter the professional landscape. For example, technology tethers the globe, so are programming languages more relevant to secondary students than foreign languages? It is also important to consider how technology can be better used to help us connect on the social-emotional level, as that was one of the hardships for many students during the pandemic. Students in elementary and secondary grades need tactile experiences and external cueing that is difficult if impossible to replicate online. However, it is important to recognize that some students excel with the muted sensory and social experience that online learning offers.
Overall, I believe that technology should be used to help students discover and develop their interests, which should be an empowering tool - not an oppressive one. I like the idea of using videos in class to deliver specific content, and using class time to engage in discussions and group work. However, it is important to recognize that this model could be more challenging for some students, as they are able to focus better in live lessons. I look forward to learning more about how to improve my utilization of online learning tools to better prepare students for the changing economic and professional landscape.
Emily,
ReplyDeleteI think your blog does a good job of answering the question: why does all of this matter.
We live in a day and age where how much you know isn't as valuable as how fast can you adapt, change, and learn new things. The shelf life of knowledge is changing so quickly that in many circumstances the skills that we teach students will last longer than the content.
So the question we should be asking ourselves as educators is: How?
How are we going to use technology in ways that are going to build the skills needed to survive in an ever changing world? How are we going to use technology at appropriate grade levels? How are we going to assess that certain skills have been developed?
For me the answers to these questions are only attainable trough trial and error. I"m going to need to be willing to take risks and develop my own creativity and skills to be able to reach the widest range of students possible. I look forward to figuring this all out.
James