Creating a Path for Learning in the 21st Century

Learning does become authentic when mixed together with your own experiences and own knowledge base.  What happens when a child’s experiences are limited and the knowledge base is limited? I teach in a high poverty rural schools with students have limited access to the Internet. It is funny they all have cell phones and MP3 players, but when it comes down to worldly experiences, it does not exist.  Many students have very low computer schools and lack the basic computer skills. Let’s refocus my thoughts, how can we use technology to provide experiences and build students’ knowledge base?

• 1. Many/Most kids from high poverty/rural areas do not have books at home and may have weak reading skills. Could we not provide audio book downloads to their MP3 players? Can we take advantage of these little devices to improve reading skills? I like to read, but sometimes it helps me to tune into a book on my Ipod and listen while I am driving, gardening, or walking. We need to rethink how we use technology as tool in life?
• 2. How can we use multimedia and online resources to give our students experiences? We could make the use of multimedia in our lectures. Provide virtual field trips. Make use of video conferencing. Allow students to enter blogs with their peers from other countries?

What are some other ways?