This document summarizes the objectives and content of a presentation on connecting teaching and learning to 21st century skills and tools. The presentation defines characteristics of 21st century students, explores challenges for teachers, and examines how classrooms and professional development can incorporate 21st century topics and digital tools to engage students.

1. Connecting the Dots Using 21 st Century Tools and Topics Sharon Bowers NIA and Virginia Beach City Public Schools February 13, 2010

4. The National Institute of Aerospace (NIA)

5. Digital Native or Digital Immigrant? Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants Let’s Be “Digital Multipliers” H. Sapiens Digital: From Digital Immigrants and Digital Natives to Digital Wisdom Backup Education The Role of Technology Essential 21 st Century Skills

6. Where do you fit? Digital Immigrants Slow controlled information release – limited sources Singular process and single or limited task Processing order Text  Picture, Video & Sound Linear, logical sequential access Interact/network simultaneously to few Comfortable in real spaces Prefer students to work independently “ Just in case” learners Delayed/differed access, rewards & gratification Learning is to teach to the curriculum guide and standardized tests. Digital Natives Multiple multimedia information sources rapidly Parallel process & multi-task Processing order Picture, Video & Sound  Text Random access to interactive media Interact/network simultaneously to many Comfortable in virtual and real spaces Prefer interactive/network approach to work “ Just in time” learners Instant access, reward & gratification Learning is relevant, instantly useful and fun

7. Digital Native or Digital Immigrant The majority of the people at my table are: Text: 99503 Choices: 45505 45641 45670

8. 21 st Century Students How would you describe today’s students?

9. Text number: 99503 Then … Begin your message with …9177 … your message

11. When they enter Kindergarten

14. Challenges Teachers Face

15. Did You Know?

16. A new taxonomy … Bloom, et al, 1956 Anderson & Krathwohl, et al, 2000

17. Partnership for 21 st Century 21st Century Framework

22. LoTi – H.E.A.T. Framework H – Higher- order Thinking E – Engaged Learning A – Authentic Learning T – Technology

23. VBCPS Compass to 2015

25. What do 21 st century classrooms look like? “ One can’t believe impossible things.” “ I daresay you haven’t had much practice,” said the Queen. “When I was your age I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.” Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

32. “ Technology is technology only for someone who was born before it was invented.” A.Kay “ You look at technology as a tool. We look at technology as a foundation – it’s totally integrated into what we do.” “ Today’s students are no longer the people our educational system was designed to teach.” Serious Games Summit 2006

33. “ The role of technology is to support the new teaching paradigm.” Prensky, 2008 “ 21 st century skills should enable students to follow one’s passion(s) as far as one’s abilities allow.” Prensky, 2009

35. What might this mean for us?

36. Seeing the world mathematically