What does it mean to be a 21st
Century Learner? This is a question that has been on my mind since I traveled
to the Aspen Ideas Festival during the summer of 2010. During that time, I
heard the phrase 21st Century Learner tossed around by presenters
and attendees. Many of the presenters I conversed with resonated the same
theme, “Teaching as we know it is already outdated.” I wanted to try and
understand this more. I talked with Dr. Howard Gardner, Sir Ken Robinson,
justice Sandra Day O’Connor, Evan Williams and Biz Stone (founders of Twitter),
and Fred Swaniker (founder of ALA African Leadership Academy). All of these
people asked me in some form, “How are you changing?” I was not really sure. I
attended multiple plenary sessions, heard from some giant personalities (Bill
Gates, Jeffry Katzenburg) and some who were not so giant. In one particular
session I encountered an educator that changed me as a teacher forever.
I sat in a session presented
by Dr. Mimi Ito. She had recently finished a three year study and began a
lecture circuit to promote her findings and a new book. Also, she participated
in a video series for PBS and some other short videos for the MacArthur
Foundation. Her session made me realize that I was not changing, only
casually shifting my teaching. Leaving the session I realized I need to
fundamentally change my approach. Dr. Ito and Connie Yowell (Director of
Education, The MacArthur Foundation) both talked to me about how to create
change. The first step was to educate myself about the changes in technology in
my area of expertise. Aspen Springfield
The idea of change
pushed me to seek new frontiers in teaching. As a result, I joined the Ozarks
Writing Project, a site of the National Writing Project at Missouri State University
The students enrolled
in my Language Arts classes were all given a username and password to access http://www.wikispaces.com. No email is
needed to register. They don’t give their names to the site. Once they log on
they are directed to the space I created for their specific class. Only the
members that I allow are able to create in this space. Students create a page
that they title using their first and last names. This enables them to access
the site from any computer or smart device that allows internet browsing. The
site eliminates the need for a memory stick when saving computer generated
projects. Parents can also see their
students work (but cannot edit or comment). A running record of all the items
created by the multiple users is available to me at all times. No student can
edit without there being a record or timeline of their saved work. The wiki
space may also be used for students when they are outside of school. Some
choose to use it as a platform to save work so they can access it anywhere,
anytime. There is no longer a need for a memory stick. More than that however,
the students are introduced to a new format for creating. The pencil to paper
disappears and a new modalities fill in the gaps. Students are now able to edit
each others work, they can share on a large scale, and creativity takes a new
role as they are re-thinking what writing is.
This first quarter
has proved to me, that to become a 21st Century teacher, I have to
change my approach. The wiki space has replaced pen and paper. This has caused
a change that I see in the students. Their sense of purpose as writers has
shifted to a more intrinsic motivation. They have been able to compose with authentic
audience in mind. The materials that I have asked them to generate become
genuine assessment pieces for me. The wiki space is an active portfolio that enables
students to do the following:
Ø Constant
access to their work
Ø Ability
to share with students
Ø A
place to showcase their pieces
Ø Re-think
what writing can do
Ø Show
their progression in their writing
Kyle Wallace
English Language Arts
