Module 7 Activity 4 - Knowledge Building

From this activity I have learnt that in the creation of knowledge building environments we as teachers need to be guiding learning in exciting and engaging learning environments, where students can work creatively with ideas to create new ideas, and knowledge.

Module 7 Activity 3 - Critical Thinking

 

Do we really need critical thinking skills? After completing this activity it is quiet apparent that critical skills are needed if we are to function properly in society.  The things about critical thinking that have caught your attention are the use of Socratic questioning, which if used correctly will empower students to think “outside of the box”.  Employing this method is top on my “to do” list.  To develop as thinkers, students must pass through stages of development in critical thinking as such a teacher I need to be aware of these levels as I aspire to make critical thinking a primary objective of my instruction.

Module 7- Activity 2 - A vision for my subject in the 21st century

This activity was a real eye opener.   The current trends in Mathematics has peaked my interest in the teaching.  I am now eager to fire up 21^st century skills/activities into my classroom which help to show students the relevance of what they are learning.

Module 7 Activity 1: What is 21st century learning?

Twenty-first-century learning involves enabling today's students to be academically competitive in global situations; good citizens within their community, country, and world; and effective within their workplace.  Inorder for this to happen, we as teachers need to equip our students with Twenty-first-century skills. What are 21^st century skills?   Twenty-first-century skills are the special abilities children need to develop so that they can be prepared for the challenges of work and life in the 21st century. The skills considered most essential for the 21st century include: collaboration; systems thinking; empathy and communication; technological skills; civic engagement; and intrapersonal intelligence.  The teaching of the skills identified above, should be infused throughout the curriculum and not taught in isolation.  To successfully face rigorous higher education coursework, career challenges, and a globally competitive workforce, we as teachers must align classroom environments with real-world environments by infusing 21st century skills into our teaching and learning.