21st Learning and the 21st Learner

This 2008 video presentation has a unique way of illustrating numerical facts. It relates the population of China to that of the United States in a way that
should allow the viewer to better understand its massive size. It also mentions that China will eventually become the top English speaking country in the world. It compares information about the gargantuan population of India to that of the United States in an original way by using IQ’s. In the 21st century,
within a span of just six years, jobs are originating. Students are currently learning information in the classroom that is preparing them for jobs,
technologies, and problem situations that are presently nonexistent. Influences that the Internet has had on society are many. Vast amounts of
information can be digitally transmitted, and this conveyance is increasing exponentially. Technological devices are developing rapidly and
technology is growing. The amount of unique information that people learn today, compared to the 18th century, has increased tremendously as new
technology emerges. These emanating technologies have had a huge impact on the world over the past 5,000 years. Potential capabilities of the
computer will surpass computational capabilities of the human brain this year and should eventually exceed that of the entire human species. In
conclusion, the presentation shares events that could have occurred during the five minutes it took to play it.

The presentation begins with a vision. It states that modern learning environments should be engaging, collaborative, and inquiry-based. The teachers
that provide these settings must be willing to utilize technology in a way that challenges students to create, answer, and acquire new knowledge. As
the video progresses, students start to reveal hand-written posters that identify the amount of time they spend utilizing technology. Then these students
address teachers explaining that they expect to learn 21st century skills. The students point out that a high percentage of teachers have never used
the powerful components of current technology but they learn best when they are engaged. The students then want to know how their teachers
learn and how they desire their students to learn. Other countries appear to be more advanced and the students are concerned that they
will not have the necessary skills to even graduate. The students then show various forms of current technologies and ask teachers how they might assist in their education. Finally, the students insist that teachers teach them the 21st century skills. They reiterate their desire to become engaged
because they are digital learners.

How well do they pay attention to the current curriculum, and how effectively are their students learning it? It prompts teachers to reflect on the
necessary skills that their students must possess in order to learn in today’s classroom. Next, it provides the statistics which concern the amount of
time that students spend utilizing technology. Because children are being brought up in a digital world, it is imperative that contemporary students
possess the necessary 21st century learning skills. This presentation then poses more challenging questions to teachers by asking them if they are
doing the pertinent things to instill these skills in their students. It points out that research indicates that students rarely ask questions in class and
compensate by using Google searches. It asks teachers to explain why they do not use technology to teach more effectively when their students
already know how to use it. Often, people assume that many students graduate from college with an inability to read, yet they are able to text. Despite
the fact that many people think that cell phones are evil, they are actually a mini computer. The presentation provides a long list of appropriate ways
that teachers can use cell phones in the classroom. It then shares a unique cell phone activity which encourages students to utilize global
communication. Furthermore, it mentions that a moderately high percentage of 12th grade students do not see the meaning, benefits, or value of their
education and suggests that teachers use podcasts to reach out to their students. In closing, the presentation emphasizes that teachers must pay
attention to students in their classroom and use technology in their teaching.

The video begins with a brief introduction presented by the Library of Congress. In this introductory monologue, the speaker states that the purpose of
the presentation is to justify the importance of the learning that transpires in the 21st century. Educators must prepare students for jobs that do not
currently exist while teaching them the skills that they might need when using new and developing technologies. However, there are several
challenges that impede the implementation of these necessary educational practices. These include such things as how to prepare students for the
future, how to amend the curriculum and instruction so that it supports learning, and what to change in the educational system. Because the Industrial
Era is gone, the skills that are necessary for students to learn in the 21st century are vital. Educators must discover “what” students need to learn,
decide “where” the powerful learning will occur, and develop ways on “how” to achieve it. As the video concludes, it states that if the “what”,
“where”, and “how” are combined then 21st century learning will ensue.

In this presentation, students from a Birmingham primary school use posters to communicate to the viewer the ways they engage in technology. The
video opens with a statement from a student which states that she is a 21st century learner. Sequentially, more students begin sharing the
daily ways they utilize different technological devices. They inform the viewer that they are baffled as to why they cannot use these devices at school
when it is such an integral part of their circadian life. Additionally, the students express the reasons as to why they access the Internet and explain
that online access is valuable to their education; however, they wonder if their teachers do the same. The students explain the nature of their
learning and ask if technological devices could help them in this quest for knowledge. They convey to the viewer that they want to participate
and become involved in their own learning. They care about the world and desire to be a global citizen. Therefore, they want to communicate
with students from all over the map and gain new knowledge. Because they desire to learn 21st century skills by using 21st century technology,
engagement in their own education is their last request.

This 2007 video was created by 200 students in a Cultural Anthropology Class at Kansas State University and reveals the results of their
research. The students analyzed data which they had collected from each other via an online collaboration program. The information that they attained related to the traits and beliefs of learners in the 21st century. These included such things as the content they should learn, their future aspirations, and
the transitions they have to make throughout life.

This presentation focuses on how current technologies are affecting the ways that students embrace change. Children are not born to be media
producers. Something in their development inspired them. Several professors and researchers present information on the different 21st century
demands that students face today. They mention that outside learning, such as in a home or peer environment, is important because it influences the
knowledge that students acquire in an educational setting. Educators should find ways to link school to other cultural mediums in an effort to provide
the most appropriate learning environment. Skills relating to the 21st century are not the ones that the presenters feel are necessary in the workplace,
but they are the skills such as creativity, engagement, and the ones that are essential for the future. Because it is imperative that learners
successfully function in a modern society, these educators believe that appropriate 21st century education should offer relevant expectations
and standards.

First of all, this short presentation on 21st century literacy points out why certain skills are necessary in today’s classroom. As modern literacy
evolves, abilities in utilizing visual components and aural and written elements are imperative. The video relates a description of the attributes of literacy.
These include being able to speak, write, and read. As the presentation continues, it mentions that the methods instructors use to teach and the
ways students learn are influenced by new forms of communication. Finally, the presentation discusses the skills that students should receive during
instruction. From critical thinking and problem solving skills, to technology skills and self-direction skills, this country’s future economic success is
dependent upon educators teaching appropriate techniques and students learning them.

The Design 21 Leadership Team of Weymouth High School created this video presentation. They started it by highlighting information from their own
research which they learned to be prevalent. They discovered that high school students are deficient in written communication, problem
solving, professionalism, and work ethic. They pointed out that the world has evolved from the Industrial Revolution to the Digital Revolution, and
the work-force of the future is ill-prepared. When students try to attain good jobs, they should be masters of written and oral communication. However,
the departments at schools do not collaborate when they should be trying to interrelate the content. In an effort to improve problems in education today,
the Design Team believes that educators should address the foundation, exploration, and application of education. They state that using
content to teach these necessary 21st century skills is crucial in order to expand and enhance the high school pathways.

This presentation is basically comprised of slides that show students and teachers utilizing current technologies. The information that the video
conveys describes the reasons why there is a need for a change in education. For example, the way students receive instruction in the contemporary
classroom is an issue. Students of today are also connected to a digital generation where society demands them to be technologically literate, creative, and innovative. It expects them to collaborate and connect with other students from around the world. Teaching, thinking, and education must change
in order to reach the students of the 21st century. Current educational practices must engage students and connect them to technological
environments. These practices should also assist students in their quest for new knowledge.