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March 1, 2000
Technology Tidbits #1 Six Essentials of Learnings in a Technological Society
by Helen DeWitt
Technology Tidbits a four-part column that addresses some of the information needs of teachers new to the Web. The articles deal with many of the issues that teachers have in learning about the Web and about integrating it into the classroom. They address questions such as, What are the "Six Essentials of Learnings in a Technological Society," and how do they apply to my classroom? What exactly is the Internet? When did the Internet begin, and how has it changed? How can the Internet help me extend my classroom? What is a URL? Is there a "best" search engine? How can I use e-mail effectively? Where can I find online projects, thematic units, and lesson plan help? Are there different types of online lessons? Do I need to worry about copyright issues? Is there an easy way for my students to cite their online references? How can I find good sites for my classroom? Is there a way my students can learn to evaluate the worth of a site? Can I teach my students and myself about HTML and Web design? Can the Web help me professionally as a teacher?
The effective use of technology in today's world requires students to develop new roles in learning. Students need to become information seekers, who are able to judge and evaluate the worth of the vast amounts of information that the Internet holds for them. The teacher's role has also changed to that of a facilitator who must be able to help students learn to work cooperatively and effectively in our complex, information-rich society. The following six essentials of learning by the Illinois State Board of Education does a nice job of explaining the changing roles of the students in our technological society. It also sets new challenges for teachers as they try to prepare their students for the world in which they will soon work.
Six Essentials of Learnings in a Technological Society
by The Illinois State Board of Education
1. Information Seeker, Navigator and Evaluator
The student as information seeker, navigator and evaluator: The student recognizes and values the breadth of information sources, browses those sources, differentiates and selectively chooses sources based on soundness and relevancy, and retrieves appropriate information/data using all forms of electronic/optical media, technology and telecommunications.
2. Critical Thinker, Analyzer and Selector
The student as critical thinker, analyzer and selector of information and technologies appropriate to the task: The student uses problem-solving techniques and technology tools to review information and data from a variety of sources; analyze, synthesize and evaluate it; and then transform the myriad of ideas, data and information into useful information and knowledge. During this process the student discriminates among a variety of technologies and electronic/optical media to extend and expand his/her capabilities.
3. Creator of Knowledge
The student as creator of knowledge using information resources and technology: The student, both individually and as a successful member of a team, constructs new meaning and knowledge in all content areas, combining and synthesizing different types of information through technology, telecommunications and computer modeling/simulations.
4. Effective Communicator
The student as effective communicator using a variety of appropriate technologies/media: The student creates, produces and presents ideas, stories and unique representations of thoughts through a variety of electronic/optical media by analyzing the task before him/her, the technology tools available, and appropriately selecting and using the most effective tool(s)/media for the purpose and audience.
5. Technologist
The student as a technologist: The student develops the confidence, competence, information management strategies and sufficient technical skills to successfully install, setup and use the technology and telecommunications tools in his/her daily life, work situations and learning environments.
6. Responsible Citizen in a Technological Age
The student as a responsible citizen in a technological age: The student understands the ethical, cultural, environmental and societal implications of technology and telecommunications, and develops a sense of stewardship and individual responsibility regarding his/her use of technology, media and telecommunications networks.
Written by the Illinois State Board of Education, 100 North 1st Street, Springfield, IL 62777, (217) 782-5596
Email: Helen DeWitt
Helen DeWitt is a technology coordinator at King Middle Grade School in Kankakee, Illinois. She has had a classroom computer since 1978. She has been providing in-service instruction teachers on the computer for over seventeen years. Her school's Web site was chosen by Technology & Learning Magazine as the school site of the month for September 1999.
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