“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” - Alvin Toffler
The implementation of ICT in education is bringing not only a pedagogical challenge for teachers, but a new role for them. Teachers are not longer the source of information in the 21st century classrooms since information can be at a click length in many cases. Many students are having access to personal laptops, smatphones, and other hi-tech devices from which they can keep in touch with classmates, teachers, school staff, educational resources, and information of all kind.
Learning can occur anytime and anywhere, many educators and writers are referring to that possibility as ubiquitous learning or u-learning. However, this new mediation in learning should necessarily be accompanied by, in Vygotsky's words, a more able peer. Therefore, technology can provide us with the tools, but the new role of teachers in the 21st century as filters in this process of teaching and learning is fundamental.
Teachers have new skills to teach; and autonomy is one of them. We should equip our learners with strategies and skills to help them live in this new high-tech world in which a key element for success seems to be flexibility to learn, unlearn and relearn.
Cheers,
Gonzalo :-)
Hi Gonzalo
ReplyDeleteWonderful quote. It makes me think of his idea of the 3rd wave society. Maybe we are learning to ride the 3rd wave rolling over us now - as teachers learning to use technology wisely. I liked the video you recommended this week in Nicenet too!
Robert