21st century pedagogy

Blog 1 Entry: Instructional Strategies and Technology, an Effective Approach to Teaching Students in the 21st Century

We now live in a digital age, where students are digital natives. Learners’ world revolves around technology. Therefore, teachers need to embrace the use of effective instructional strategies and technology in their lessons and classroom setting; in an effort to keep up with the 21^st century learner. According to Smaldino and Lowther (2007) “well-planned instructional strategies incorporating technology and media promote learning regardless of the subject matter, the learners, or the learning environment” (p. 23). Educators need to select the most appropriate strategies to incorporate in their classroom with the intention to differentiate instruction, satisfy students’ needs and reach a variety of learning styles. Instructional strategies are valuable in education because they can promote active participation of students, and make learning meaningful for students.

In the 21^st century, technology plays an important role in the successful implementation of various instructional strategies in the classroom setting. Technology supports learning.  Schacter  and Fagnano (as cited in Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, and Malenoski , 2007) mentioned that if technology implementation is applied effectively it increases students learning, understanding, achievement, motivation to learn, encourages collaborative learning, and supports the development of critical thinking and problem solving skills. Russell and Sorge (as cited in Pitler et al., 2007) notes that “technology can give students more control over their own learning” (p. 3). In addition, according to the researchers, integrating technology into instructional strategies will move classrooms from teacher- center environments to student-centered. More importantly, the researchers pointed out that “technology allows teachers to differentiate instruction more efficiently by providing a wider variety of avenues for learning that reaches students of divergent readiness levels, interest, and learning styles” (Pitler et al., 2007, p. 3).

Definitely teachers nowadays need to look at education in a new way. Technology is second nature for learners of this generation. That means that educators need to incorporate effective instructional strategies and technology in their teaching, to guarantee learning success. We need to embrace new means to help the 21^st century learner succeed in school and in real life.

References

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E. R., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Denver, Colorado: Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning.

Smaldino, S. E., & Lowther, D. L. (2007). Instructional technology and media for learning (9th  ed.). Upper Sadel River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall.

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