21st Century Learner & Teacher- 1A

How would I describe myself as a 21^st Century learner? I would say that I am semi-active 21^st Century learner. I say this because after researching information about digital literacies, I realized that I still have a lot to learn when it comes to becoming a creator in the digital world and not just a consumer and user of products in the digital world. Throughout my Masters classes I feel that I am on my way to learn the information and skills needed to become more of a creator in the digital world and not just a consumer.

I feel that I am a very efficient consumer/ user of technology in the 21^st century. I have learned how to effectively navigate and use computers, iPads, iPods, satellite TV, fitness gadgets, video games, digital cameras, smart phones, and much more. I have taught myself how to be successful in using many of these devices. If I get stuck I can go to the Internet and look up information or videos of how to fix it or how to use the device to it’s fullest potential. I love using technology and the Internet, I fee that it has opened up my world to so many great possibilities, especially the Internet. I use the Internet daily to gain information relative to my everyday life. Ranging from using social media to getting directions. I use it to research and learn information relating to work, home, school, and play the possibilities are endless.

I would like to learn more about how to become an effective creator in the digital world. My first thoughts on this topic were, “I am a creator in this world! I use technology and make things all the time!” After watching and learning more about what a creator is, in the digital world, I discovered that I have way more to learn to consider myself a creator in the 21^st century digital world. I know nothing about writing code or what goes on behind the scenes of the Internet. I hear things such as HTML, PHP, Python, or Ruby and I have absolutely no idea what they mean or how they work. These words, and the thought of going behind the scenes of the Internet intimidate and overwhelm me. I now know that learning these skills are essential to becoming an effective creator in the digital world. I will need to know them to take me to the next level to achieve success in the 21^st Century and the digital world. This knowledge is what motivates me to learn these skills.

 

Technology is everywhere and there is the need to be a responsible digital citizen. I feel that I am a responsible digital citizen. I use social media often, I am very mindful of how I present as well as protect myself on social media and the Internet. I am very careful in protecting my digital identity. I am also very mindful of how I represent myself in social media or on the Internet. I make sure that anything I post or do on any sort of social media is appropriate for all audiences. I ask myself these questions, "Would I want my boss to see this? Would I want my 8 year old nephew to see this? Would I want my family to see this? Would I want my friends to see this?” Once it is out there for the world to see it cannot be taken back. You have to really be proactive and think about consequences to your actions or reactions before putting them out there in the digital world.

       This brings me to how I view myself as a teacher in the 21st Century. In order to be an effective teacher in the 21^st Century and the digital world I need to have a strong foundation and knowledge of how to effectively use, as well as create technology, to benefit from it. A 21^st Century teacher is tech savvy and knowledgeable on how to incorporate it into the classroom to utilize it with students to create a learning environment that promotes student learning to be successful in the 21^st Century. As a teacher I want my students to learn the required skills and knowledge to become productive, responsible citizens in the 21^st Century and the digital world.

       I strive to be an effective teacher in the 21^st Century. I want to facilitate and guide students in their learning. I consistently model behaviors that I expect my students to demonstrate. I create a classroom environment that encourages cooperative group work. I choose curriculum that is based on student’s interest to create motivation for student learning. If students are interested in topic and see the relevance the learning has in their lives it acts as a natural motivator. They in turn have a need and want to learn about a topic, which can push them to a higher order of thinking and create initiative in students. 

    Technology and the Internet are all around today’s students and they have grown up in the digital age. When students use their intrinsic motivation to take initiative in their learning, they are more likely to explore and expand on their knowledge and learning of the digital world by being active participants in it. They can manipulate and use digital media tools to learn. The learning builds upon their natural curiosity of discovering how things work. They can use trial and error to learn on a first hand basis how it works. As a teacher I can be used as a resource to guide and support their learning. Having the students teach each other is another great way to facilitate this in the classroom. I see students teaching other students how to use digital media sources more effectively in my classroom all the time. They see something someone else has created and they want to learn how to do it. They as the student how they did that and the other student will show them. It is absolutely amazing!