Part I Reflection

After reading part 1 of Leading 21st Century Schools: Harnessing Technology for Engagement and Achievement, I was introduced to the steps being taken in getting teachers, students, and administrators skilled for the 21st century. As we leave behind Web 1.0 and move towards Web 2.0, we enter a digital age where customization, communication, and collaboration are incorporated in day to day tasks. The skills required of students, teachers, and administrators had changed significantly over the last decade. In order to prepare students to be able to adapt to the rapid changes in technology, the Partnership for 21st Century Skills initiative suggests infusing information literacy, critical media literacy, and information, communication, and technology (ICT) literacy into every subject. It's comforting to know that there are now National Education Technology Standards for students, teachers, and administrators.

As a fairly new teacher with little experience designing and implementing curriculum, I found part 1 helpful. It gave me an understanding of where we are now in regard to digital citizenship and where we hope to be. With the upcoming class of Gen Zers, having been wholly immersed in the digital lifestyle, we as teachers and administrators definitely have to keep up with technology standards.