Chapter 9 Blog

     There is so much great material/information in chapter 9 of Solomon and Schrum’s (2007) book that I hardly know where to begin. The objective of new schools (21st century schools) is to incorporate technology into teaching and learning. Solomon & Schrum (2007) provide numerous ideas in this chapter to accomplish new school goals. A few of the ideas include implementing a connectivism instructional policy, providing a global central hub of software for teachers to access and choose from to use in their instruction, e-textbooks, online professional development opportunities, among many other ideas. I really like many of these ideas. Everything seems to be pointing to the 21st century schools being digital schools that implement the connectivism teaching approach. Considering students already do so much social networking to socialize I would be interested to see how successful a connectivism teaching approach would be. I also like that I am currently getting experience in this teaching method, and would be able to hopefully swap roles and be the guiding instructor when this connectivism approach finally takes effect.
     My article, linked below, discusses the 21st century schools and its eventual implementation (21st Century Schools ). The article also gives numerous links to tools and information that can guide a teacher through the transition process to using Web 2.0 tools. Much of the article within the link below alludes to technology and literacy within 21st century schools. However, the article definition of literacy is not the typical definition an individual might think of. The old definition of literacy may sound similar to this, “The ability to read and write.” The new definition of literacy encompasses so much more. According to the article there are multiple literacy’s an individual must acknowledge and learn in order to be successful in the modern world (Below is a link to the Multiple Literacy’s the article is referring to Multiple Literacy's ). The main literacy I intend to elaborate on throughout this blog is Media Literacy’s. My goal is to guide teachers in acquiring knowledge about using Web 2.0 tools while educating student’s on the multiple literacy’s, especially Media Literacy’s, listed within the 21st Century Schools article.

21^st Century Schools. (2010). What is 21^st century education?, Retrieved from http://www.21stcenturyschools.com/What_is_21st_Century_Education.htm