The Role of Technology in the 21st Century for Education

What we’ve established thus far, is that technology plays a major role in differentiating traditional education and 21^st century education (“21^st Century Education”).  This also brings about the necessity to understand what media is available, what skills are needed to operate these media and how technology impacts and connects international education.

·         Media Literacy:  “Media literacy is the skill of experiencing, interpreting/analysing and making media products” (www.media-awareness, [Not dated]).  Thus the skills we need to do this include the knowledge of how to use technological and multimedia tools to design and produce websites, television programs, radio shows, public service announcements, mini-documentaries, how to DVDs, oral histories, films, blogs and online journals (www.21stcenturyschools.com, [Not dated]) to not only assist in the incorporation of multiple intelligences (Gardner, 1983) but also to ensure that students are knowable to use these technologies once they enter the workplace. Additionally we need the skills to be able to surf the internet, access and send emails, operate instant messaging sites and using music/movie players and office tools.  The level of cognition needed for these media literacy skills extends beyond the understanding of how media messages are conducted, their purpose and tools available.  It should also include the ability of the individual to examine how these messages are interpreted, the values, beliefs and behaviours as well as the ethical and legal issues surrounding these media (www.21stcenturyschools.com, [Not dated]).

With the accelerated rate of technological developments discussed in the previous blogs, what technologies are available for schools and does the promise of digitised learning provide the potential to “save our planet”?  “Technological Resources – An Opportunity for Green Education”

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References

1.         21st Century Schools,  (Not dated),   Media Literacy,  [Online]  Available from:   http://www.21stcenturyschools.com/Media_Literacy.htm,  Accessed:  29-02-2012.

2.         Education.com,  (Not dated),  Media Literacy - Important 21st Century Skill,  [Online]  Available from:  http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Media_Literacy_2/,  Accessed:  29-02-2012.

3.         Media Awareness Network,  (Not dated),   What is Media Literacy?   [Online]  Available from:  http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/teachers/media_literacy/what_is_media_literacy.cfm. Accessed:  29-02-2012.

4.         The Ohio State University,  (Not dated),  Office of the Chief Information Officer – Clickers,  [Online]  Available from:   http://ocio.osu.edu/elearning/toolbox/depth/clickers,  Accessed:  29-02-2012.

5.         Slabbert, J.A., de Kock, D.M. & Hattingh, A. (2009). The brave new world of education: creating a unique professionalism. Cape Town: Juta and Company.