Research Question 5
How are teachers effectively integrating higher order thinking, real-world
relevance, and technology literacy in core classrooms in order to teach in a 21 st century
context?
The evidence to investigate the final research question was primarily gleamed
through classroom observations that showed how the teachers were integrating higher
order thinking skills, real world relevance and technology literacy in their daily
instruction. The teacher-centered paradigm of defining words, memorizing dates and low-
level thinking is not optimal for preparing our students for the 21 st century workplace (;
Judson, 2006; Oblinger, 2005; Pletka, 2007). This research question essentially is
examining how the 3 R’s of a successful 21 st century program of rigorous 21 st century
skills, authenticity of the learning and technology integration are being infused into the
daily instruction and teaching culture of the school.