Part Two | Chapters Seven and Eight | "Leading 21st Century Schools"

Part II of Leading 21st Century Schools: Harnessing Technology Engagement and Achievement consists of the final four chapters and is focused on considerations for 21st century teaching and learning. This post provides insights and reflection from chapters seven and eight.

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Chapter seven focused on tools for teaching and learning in k-12 schools. Searchable repositories of digital curriculum such as Curriki and MERLOT were highlighted, as well as the benefits of using Web 2.0 tools and reusable learning objects to replace the standard textbook. Although I grew up anticipating the first day of school when textbooks would be distributed (along with instructions to take them home that night and cover them in brown paper bags) technology advances have made digital learning cost-effective and easier on kids' backs. For example a digital textbook allows for hyperlinked materials making it easier and faster to access up-to-date information even after the textbook has been published. Students can benefit from personalized learning with digital technology instead of everyone following the same textbook at the same pace.

Using Analytics As a Catalyst for Change http://bit.ly/1GVgviu

Chapter eight explored considerations for 21st century school leaders and the need to be prepared for managing constant change. This chapter briefly discussed the flipped classroom and gamification as ways to engage students while encouraging collaboration, discussion, and hands-on experiences. Both of these strategies are on the higher education radar with the flipped classroom almost being old hat and gamification really entering into its own. The authors listed five trends in technology in education and the one that stood out to me concerned open content and learning analytics. Taking a closer look at several Learning Management Systems, learning analytics have become prevalent features and are more robust than they were even three years ago, even if this is looking at data on a smaller scale. EDUCAUSE has dedicated discussions and content to the growing use of learning analytics for assessment, revision of programs, and improving retention and graduation rates.