21st Century Learning and Innovative Environments - Final Thoughts
...for now!
Through this e-portfolio assignment, I have learned that there can’t just be one way to look at future learning - it’s not just about the technology, or just about the fancy furniture - its about a whole change where everyone is up for the challenge to work together for the student’s future. As I looked for resources for this blog, I was faced with different types of learning and approaches to the current and upcoming new era.
I am not saying one is better than the other or any of them are wrong but I believe that at the end of the day, as educators, we need to pick and choose the appropriate times when to use technology, when collaboration is needed, or when attention needs to be on us. Yes, the point is not to be teacher-led, teacher-first but we should remember not to just drop our position as the educator, supporting the children’s learning.
Education and learning should definitely come before technology, making sure that the current curriculum is what is best for each student, whether brain-, inquiry-, project-based etc. If we invest not only in technology but the learning spaces as well, then we can definitely bring out the best in our students and find the talents and strengths they may not have found in traditionally constructed curriculum.
For the future of public school boards’ curriculum, I think they should be reconstructed to fit the new generations that have been growing up surrounded by technology and radical thinking. Taking inspiration from current research, 21st century learning spaces/environments and directly from the children’s opinions/voices I believe as community of educators, caregivers, and role models we can jump on this new and positive change!
I definitely think as the educators need to listen to the students’ voices more often - after all we’re trying to build skills for their future.
To end it off with a quote I grew to love throughout this process, we need to never forget to involve the students of all ages/grades! After all, it is the people creating and using the spaces that create the overall atmosphere of the environment.
