WHY: Empower learners with the skills, knowledge, and experiences to become successful 21st-century citizens and inspire them to become lifelong learners.

HOW: Create a blended learning environment that emulates real-life situations and utilizes the technologies needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.

WHAT:  Lead students to the path that will allow them to graduate with the tools needed to become productive citizens.

I went to college a long time ago, a really long time ago. Much of the content I learned has either become outdated or I have forgotten it. However, there is one phrase that a professor said that has always resonated with me, and I think applies even more to education today. The phrase was basically that you don’t have to know all the answers but you do need to know how to find them. With the widespread use of technology today, this phrase is ringing even truer.

As a junior high educator, I believe I can empower learners with the skills, knowledge, and experiences to become successful 21st-century citizens and inspire them to become lifelong learners. This is my why. I don’t expect students to memorize every fact they have ever learned, but I do expect them to be able to find answers, thus becoming lifelong learners.

What better way to empower students with the skills, knowledge, and experiences to become successful 21st-century citizens than by teaching with blended learning? Solve real world problems using the tools that students will use when they become adults. Have them collaborate, use technology, and reflect on their findings.

The 21st century is right now. Now is the time to become proactive rather than reactive. Today’s learners have grown up with technology and it’s not going away. Right now is when these students should be using the tools (collaboration, technology, reflections) that they will see in high school, college, and the real world. Keep in mind, the children of today will be the adults of tomorrow. They will be the ones impacting our lives. Don’t you think it would be best to impact their lives right now? If we as educators don’t start implementing some sort of a blended learning environment, are we really leading our students to a future where they will be productive citizens?

REFERENCES

Kotter, J. (2011, March, 23). The heart of change. [video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NKti9MyAAw

Kotter, J. (2013, August, 15). Leading change: Establish a sense of urgency. [video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Yfrj2Y9IlI

Sinek, S. (2014, March, 3). Start with why: Ted talk short edited. [video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPYeCltXpxw