Today's Student

Good morning,

As I get ready to teach my new set of college students I found this term C2S2 kids.  In my last blog I started seeing these students in the classroom on the college level but had never seen the term, I find it fits perfectly.  The acronym stands for the four major characteristics of today's learners. 

C2S2 kids are:  Collaborative, Creative, Social and Self-Directed.  This is added onto the fact that they also have their own unique learning styles.  So here are a few of the characteristics that will and do affect as we teach in every classroom today. 

• Students learn in a collaborative environment
• Students create content rather than consume it
• Students choose to invest time in a virtual, digital social environment
• Students  are self-directed in that they wish to choose what to study, they want the option to learn on their own and they absolutely insist on using technology in their learning

Cool Tech Tools for Lower Tech Teachers 20 Tactics for Every Classroom by William N. Bender and Laura B. Waller

This changes the way we plan and prepare the environment and the way we teach but more definitely our teaching philosophy!  My personal philosophy is being molded by the students I encounter and this is challenging.  We can no longer stay the same, we must evolve with them. 

Technology

Some of the discussions that have taken place in class have been very valuable.  Something that has stood out in my mind is that teachers must be experts in so many areas, including technology.  Since so many schools have different technologies available in the classrooms, it is difficult to teach the students, when in reality, I do not know if they will have access to the technologies I am introducing in the class.  I am challenged, as the instructor, to have more knowledge and experience than the students. 
I hope I will be able to continue to learn, and teach on a level that will challenge and motivate the students. 

Technology in Education

I am currently teaching, Teaching and Learning with Technology, at a Community College.  Today I am teaching the students how to set up a Blog to use in the classroom.  This class has been so refreshing and exhilarating for me!  In order for technology to be advantageous in education it must benefit the children or the teachers.  I believe creating a blog can enhance the knowledge of the teachers through networking with other educators, parents, as well as give them a link to a global community.