Apr 4, 2009

A Vision of the Future: Learning in the 21st Century

My perspective on learning in the 21st century underwent a significant transformation during my journey through EDES 501 and EDES 545. In EDES 501, I was introduced to a plethora of collaborative web 2.0 tools that could effectively engage students in the learning process. The excitement of exploring new technologies for education was so infectious that I eagerly enrolled in EDES 545.

This course commenced with a captivating exploration of Joyce Valenza's influential Manifesto, sparking deep reflection on the emerging concept of Library 2.0. Throughout the course, we engaged in lively discussions and debates on various topics, including:

1. Teaching Digital Natives
2. Filtering
3. The Digital Divide
4. Intellectual Freedom
5. Privacy
6. Technology Integration
7. Technology Professional Development

As I began to envision the future of learning, I embarked on a journey to capture moments of student engagement with technology within the school environment. Amidst these scenes, a whisper echoed in my mind:

"They are the future, and the future is now."

This mantra spurred me to contemplate what learning in the future might entail. Drawing upon insights from this course and EDES 501, I envisioned a learning environment characterized by innovation and empowerment. Quotes from our readings, particularly Valenza's Manifesto, encapsulated my vision of what teaching and learning with technology could and should encompass.

Now, I pose the question to you: What steps will you take to revolutionize your classroom for learning in the 21st century?