Tuesday, June 15, 2010
PSA
Today’s students are facing a challenging future. For them, the future holds a world of scientific discovery, human adaptation, and an exponential growth of technology. As our global community draws closer, today’s students must be prepared for a lifetime of new encounters, problem solving, and global communication. Not only will they need to be able to use the technology that you and I can only dream about, they must be able to do so while maintaining a level of self reflection, responsibility, and respect for other viewpoints.
The American Association of School Librarians, or the AASL, has created a document that addresses the Standards for the 21st-Century Learner. This document holds librarians and teachers accountable for not only encouraging reading and critical thinking skills among today’s students, but also addresses how students’ knowledge should be shared ethically, responsibly, and globally.
The third of four major standardized areas of student learning states that students must “Share knowledge and participate ethically and productively as members of our democratic society.” What does this mean? And what does it look like in today’s classrooms?
First, this standard emphasizes the social aspect of learning. Knowledge is not to be kept secret, internalized, and not shared. Knowledge at its best and most effective is shared, developed, and connected to other understandings. Therefore, the AASL encourages students to “participate and collaborate as members of a social and intellectual network of learners.” It also strives to “contribute to the exchange of ideas within and beyond the learning community.” In other words, students should gain knowledge, seek comprehension, develop new understandings, and share these ideas in a respectful manner with the global community.
What does this type of learning look like in today’s classroom? First, let’s consider the vast differences of the classroom learners. Not all students learn the same way, or even at the same speed. Because of this wide variety of learners, today’s classrooms must provide equal opportunities for learning through differentiated instruction. If a student is to learn how to read critically and question the material, there are a number of different tools available to assist with all types of learners.
One such tool is Voice Thread, the communication tool with which this PSA is developed. Voice Thread allows for students to reflect upon their reading, select appropriate images or photographs to accompany their ideas, and then communicate their thoughts through reading or writing. Furthermore, other students can be asked to then view the Voice Thread and comment on or question the student author. This tool can be used at a low reading level, in which students would record their voices, or at a higher reading level, in which students would record as well as write text to communicate their ideas. This tool addresses the AASL’s drive to use writing and speaking skills to communicate new understandings effectively.
Another tool that allows for differentiated learning while addressing the AASL standard of respecting the differing interests and experiences of others, is a Wiki. There are many wiki tools available, Wikispaces being just one. Creating a free, educational wiki is simple. Students in the classrooms can share their learning and understanding in a safe, online community, while discussing their opinions and insights of the assigned reading. Multiple pages can be created to allow for students reading at an advanced, proficient, or below average reading level. Each student will be a productive member of the online community, no matter what his reading ability.
Today’s opportunities for students to share knowledge and understandings are vast and varying. Everyone participating in the educational experience will certainly be able to find a selection of online tools that will encourage AASL’s ideals of global communication, respect for others, and the chance to be heard and understood.
The American Association of School Librarians, or the AASL, has created a document that addresses the Standards for the 21st-Century Learner. This document holds librarians and teachers accountable for not only encouraging reading and critical thinking skills among today’s students, but also addresses how students’ knowledge should be shared ethically, responsibly, and globally.
The third of four major standardized areas of student learning states that students must “Share knowledge and participate ethically and productively as members of our democratic society.” What does this mean? And what does it look like in today’s classrooms?
First, this standard emphasizes the social aspect of learning. Knowledge is not to be kept secret, internalized, and not shared. Knowledge at its best and most effective is shared, developed, and connected to other understandings. Therefore, the AASL encourages students to “participate and collaborate as members of a social and intellectual network of learners.” It also strives to “contribute to the exchange of ideas within and beyond the learning community.” In other words, students should gain knowledge, seek comprehension, develop new understandings, and share these ideas in a respectful manner with the global community.
What does this type of learning look like in today’s classroom? First, let’s consider the vast differences of the classroom learners. Not all students learn the same way, or even at the same speed. Because of this wide variety of learners, today’s classrooms must provide equal opportunities for learning through differentiated instruction. If a student is to learn how to read critically and question the material, there are a number of different tools available to assist with all types of learners.
One such tool is Voice Thread, the communication tool with which this PSA is developed. Voice Thread allows for students to reflect upon their reading, select appropriate images or photographs to accompany their ideas, and then communicate their thoughts through reading or writing. Furthermore, other students can be asked to then view the Voice Thread and comment on or question the student author. This tool can be used at a low reading level, in which students would record their voices, or at a higher reading level, in which students would record as well as write text to communicate their ideas. This tool addresses the AASL’s drive to use writing and speaking skills to communicate new understandings effectively.
Another tool that allows for differentiated learning while addressing the AASL standard of respecting the differing interests and experiences of others, is a Wiki. There are many wiki tools available, Wikispaces being just one. Creating a free, educational wiki is simple. Students in the classrooms can share their learning and understanding in a safe, online community, while discussing their opinions and insights of the assigned reading. Multiple pages can be created to allow for students reading at an advanced, proficient, or below average reading level. Each student will be a productive member of the online community, no matter what his reading ability.
Today’s opportunities for students to share knowledge and understandings are vast and varying. Everyone participating in the educational experience will certainly be able to find a selection of online tools that will encourage AASL’s ideals of global communication, respect for others, and the chance to be heard and understood.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
