21st Century Learners

21st Century Learning Skills

• Creativity
• Critical Thinking
• Communication
• Collaboration

What’s this all about?

• Our students are different than those from just 10 years ago.  Today’s students are “digital natives.”  The group of students we are teaching today are known as the “Net Generation.”
• Book – “Grown Up Digital” by Don Tapscott
• Teachers need to adapt to students in order to remain effective
• So many negative views of current generation, but honestly we are teaching the smartest and most capable kids ever.
• “Don’t blame the kids” — it’s just how they are!  :-)

How can I be effective with “Net Gen” students?

• Try to see things from the student’s perspective.  Imagine if you grew up with a cell phone and other current technology.  You would be different too!
• Bond with students — really get to know them on a personal and social level.  But know the boundaries!
• Embrace their learning style and culture.  In order to be effective we must REALLY get to know our kids including what they like, how they think, and how they live.
• Combine Aural and visual stimulation.  Come up with new lessons that involve innovative teaching strategies that will motivate them to participate and practice.

Automate and Motivate

I demonstrated ways you can automate and spice up your orchestra classroom routines using Garageband (Mac) or other multi-track audio editors such as Audacity (Mac/Win).

See the following examples from my session at ASTA 2011 by following this link…

Why using technology in your classroom will work…

• Students need guidance, especially younger students
• Students also work more efficiently under a regular routine
• Helps increase proximity to individual students, keeping them on task.
• Enhance rehearsals combining aural and visual stimulation