Sep 12 2010
Chapter 2
When reflecting back after reading this chapter, it is all about student change. The makeup of students in our classrooms is different now than ever before. I believe it is essential to embrace this change in a positive manner, and understand that 21st century students need to be taught differently. By understanding your students, it is essential to reflect on the different levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy. This chapter discusses the traditional version of Bloom’s compared to the revised version. “The distinctions indicate that new technology tools have the capacity to support higher order thinking and more engaged learning” (pg 36). I think it is vital to understand those differences in the revised version as in related to the needs of today’s students. We need to challenge our students to the highest level of thinking to ensure their future success in the real world. For example, if we can challenge our students to the “creating” level of Bloom’s, it will build the essential 21st century skills such as problem solving.
It is so important to change our classrooms to benefit students learning styles, which leads to the students being more engaged in what they are learning. This chapter discusses project-based learning and its relation to using technology in meaningful ways throughout student learning. I believe project-based learning is a key element to integrate into any classroom because it challenges the students and allows them to be engaged in activities they are interested in. I also believe students can also utilize their critical thinking skills to be successful with problem-based learning by using the vast resources on the Web.
Your point about “change our classrooms to benefit students learning styles, which leads to the students being more engaged in what they are learning” is interesting. How do we do this? Our classrooms are so traditional.