Model of Effective Instruction
I would have to contend that the 21st Century learning skills are a model example of effective instruction. In an ever-changing society it goes without saying that our classroom practices will also be revolutionized. In order to successfully prepare a student to enter in to the world outside of high school we must prepare them for the realities that they will encounter. Rotherham & Willingham (2009) state, “… the skills students need in the 21st century are not new” (p.352). Critical thinking, problem solving, the “mastery of different kinds of knowledge”, and multifaceted analysis are all skills that originated with the traditional school setting (p. 352). “What is actually new is the extent to which changes in our economy and world mean that collective and individual success depends on having such skills” (p. 352). With that being said- as our economy and world continue to transform, as educators, we must also renovate our thinking and teaching in order to put our best foot forward; however, some believe that we will never find perfection in the classroom or in preparing our students and that we must not capitulate to every movement we encounter. Senechal (2010) argues that a movement, such as the 21st Century skills movement, is nothing more than a distractor. She acknowledges that our schools “are in need of repair- but we will not improve them by scorning tradition or succumbing to the “claims of the present”” (p. 370). She states that in order to repair the problems that we are to “seek out excellence, nurture it, defend it, and live up to it. We must be willing to lift the levels of the subjects we teach…” (p.370). Perhaps I am reading too much, or too little, into this statement but I would...
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... current on-line courses—what we are doing in a Master’s program I encourage my freshman to do in my classroom). Not only am I pushing my students to think at a higher means but also this is also one way to flip a classroom.
While I find value in both sides of the argument on what effective instruction looks like I do believe that there is something to be said for a “something old and something new” approach. As an English teacher I appreciate the ability and encouragement for creative projects, collaboration, and the use of technology; however, I also have a great deal of appreciation for a more traditional approach such as handwritten rough drafts, research papers, and a novel study that is completed in class with students reading aloud portions of the book. In an ever-changing society I know that I must be open to change as no two days in the classroom are alike.
The latest fad that has swept the states is called the “21st-Century Skills”. With this, the expectation is that students will improve skills such as cooperative learning and critical thinking, and in the end, be able to compete for jobs in the global economy more efficiently (Ravitch). Putting a priority on skills pushes many subjects, but skill-centered, knowledge-free education has never worked according to Ravitch.
By keeping the old ways of teaching, students are never prepared for jobs that actually exist. Instead students are forced to learn the standard way and lose the ability to apply their prior knowledge to current jobs. Modernized teaching allows an individual to form a creative side of thinking. This is done by using technology, where individuals are able to explore and think of things in new ways never thought of before. Davidson discusses how the education system strictly focuses on preparing students for higher education rather than properly preparing them for jobs in their fields of interest. She
Systems and structures provide the organizational foundation, but it is the human capital that really provides for the success or failure of any organization. In order for real change to happen, the staff needs to fully embrace the vision and the systems of change. This can only be accomplished if they feel respected, valued and involved in all parts of the change process. It is important to authentically embrace this group and treat them as colleagues in the process. This is the group that is responsible for implementing all systems and providing the public relations for the structure. The
It examines the causes that made this course relevant, mentioning why these skills haven’t been learned already and why at a university level they aren’t still taught implicitly by college life.
“Adults are motivated to learn to the extent that they perceive that learning will help them perform tasks or deal with problems they confront in their life situations” (Knowles et al., 2015). When I began my graduate course work at Northern Michigan University, I had not ever participated in an online course. Since NMU’s online course format utilizes NMU EduCat, I needed to learn the process and tasks associated with the website’s navigation and tools in order to be able to successfully complete course requirements and interact with other class participants. I was hesitant and anxious about my ability to learn the EduCat features, but the EduCat tutorial course offered step-by-step directions with information, activities, and assessments that enabled me to learn the necessary information. I was able to use my new knowledge immediately to fulfill the requirements of my courses. This direct application to my current reality as an online graduate student allowed for my new knowledge on the EduCat processes to easily become ingrained as part of my daily task
A teacher’s responsibilities are to ensure that every student gets the education that they deserve from a well-structured curriculum and materials. Within the teacher’s responsibilities a strong foundation of instruction has to be implemented, this is why instructional strategies are significant in a teacher’s career. The strategies for instruction vary from teacher to teacher; as a result there are no specific ways to employ strategies within instruction. The main purpose of this essay is to display knowledge of methods that are involved in teaching second language instruction for various ages and levels of students. This essay will also develop from the following components that methods and techniques are important to encourage tactical instructional strategies. These components are comprehensible input, feedback that is on-going, specific and immediate, grouping structures and techniques, building background and vocabulary development along with student engagement.
There are also many conveniences and benefits to taking an online class over a traditional, face-to-face class. Many students benefit logistically, financially, and from the course structure itself. Online classes provide the student with more opportunities to be successful in their coursework. Online courses can be completed based on the student's own schedule, provide for faster and less nervous interactions with instructors, and in many cases, are more educationally beneficial setting alternatives to traditional, face-to-face classes. In fact, Sixty-seven percent of academic professionals evaluated online courses as equivalent to as or better than face-to-face courses (Lytle).
Today’s generation is like no other. The nation as a whole has completely evolved from past times, with technology being one of the greatest improvements. Traditionally, schooling takes place in a classroom setting, but, with the many modifications in our world’s system, we are able to assimilate more modern means of education, such as online learning. However, with many changes comes differences and requires adjustments. The online learning system has proven to be just as effective as traditional learning, with some minor differences, however, nothing of great significance. A few of those insignificant differences include online learning being convenient, especially for the non-traditional students,
When students are deciding on where to go to college, they have the option of choosing between online classes and the traditional classroom classes. Today, some students are finding it much easier to maintain a job, family and start a college career, all by taking online classes. Although some students still prefer to stick with the traditional classroom classes, they still have the option to take online classes. Both online and the traditional classes will provide the educational requirements needed to obtain a college degree and opportunities in the work field. Although the online classes offer just as much as the traditional classes, they are completely different when it comes to teaching methods, course material and time.
His final suggestion to teachers is to, “fully reconsider their students’ specific needs and redesign their online courses and learning activities to involve their students.help them benefit from the online learning environment.” Works Cited Chia-Wen, T. (2013).
Todays’ teaching is tailored to student’s interest and strategies. Teachers are taught that a well-developed lesson plan should be engaging to students in order for the students to learn. This philosophy is the total opposite of what is being taught in education programs. I cannot imagine a classroom that does not teach its students based off a curriculum that meets the student’s needs and interest. It is proven research that everyone learns best when information is tailored to meet the specific learner interest.
John W. Gardner said, “Much education today is monumentally ineffective. All too often we are giving young people cut flowers when we should be teaching them to grow their own plants.” Education today is very ineffective. It is in an in between phase of the ways of old and a time of complete reform. The main issue is that people often lose sight of why the education system should even be reformed. It shouldn’t be reformed because “that’s what everyone else is doing.” It needs to be reformed to bridge the gap for the students who have a different learning style. It should be reformed to expand knowledge for students. Education reform can have good and bad effects. Because the education system is very complex, educators are being faced with changes and they must decide what is best for students.
Many students say online courses are convenient. Online courses allow students to plan according to their schedule, and the time and location that best works for them. Although online education may seem more “easier,” students should look at the cons of online education. In the feature article "Face-Face or Online Instruction? Face-Face is Better," the author, Arleen R. Bejerano, claims online courses take the students away from the college community and confines them to their home. The students no longer have interaction with the college community, which may cause them to miss out on some important opportunities. This may affect their possibility of succeeding to achieve a degree. The author suggests some students may become discouraged from learning independently, from facing challenges in academics, and fall behind or
In the undergraduate educational setting, student proficiency and comfort with technology are stressed, but the essential mission of most undergraduate institutions (especially, liberal arts institutions such as Dartmouth) is on the development of the individual. The nurturing and supportive environment of most undergraduate institutions helps students mature and develop. The rave and fad of online undergraduate learning causes students to miss out on too many intangibles of an on-campus education. Our current theory on education hasn’t adequately dealt with the intricacies of a web-based education, and therefore the effectiveness of such is highly questionable.
According to Jerald, C.D. (2009), The Center for Public Education’s define a 21st century education is rises from the perception that technology is changing the world through automation and globalization. The CPE states that high-tech automation has by now replaced practical tasks and is now beginning to replace intellectual tasks in which information can be broken down and digitally translated and outsourced. As such, non-routine skills such as skilled thinking and complex communication are essential