21st Century Learning vs.Traditional Teaching
Whereas some educators believe strongly in the ways of traditional teaching, there is also value in listening to the voices that are in support of 21st century learning. Teaching in the 21stcentury requires instruction that accommodates for 21st century learners. With technology rapidly changing, it is important to take advantage of the technological advancements that can minimize the busy work and increase the productivity of teachers. For example, Hess (2004) describes technology in schools being used for data entry and collection. This is one way to reduce the paper work that consumes educators’ time, which will allow teachers to focus on planning for differentiating and instructional delivery. Additionally, many discoveries have been made because of what technology has allowed students to do. Although simulation does not provide the same exact experience as personal interaction, lab simulations have allowed students to practice their skills in an environment where it is okay to make mistakes. It is better that students practice and fail on simulators, rather than, for example, on real human beings in a hospital. Another example of how technology has improved instruction is by allowing students to type long essays. At the secondary level, students’ essays are often graded for content and semantics, but not on handwriting. By allowing students to type essays on a Word processor, teachers are giving students more quality time to think about the content in which they are writing, as their “writing”time is reduced. Therefore, it is important not that educators utilize technology in the classroom, but that they take advantage of the technological advancements when such enhancements could add to student learning, rather than replace skills or take away from student learning. Richardson (2013) and Oates (2009) support the proper use of technology to allow students to explore, critique, and analyze information on the web, rather than the use of technology to glean facts.