The Importance of Technology to 21st Century Learners Essay

Throughout history technology has been the driving force of change. From movable type, to television, to the Internet, technology has been embraced and incorporated into our daily lives. Within the constructs of civilized society, the vast rewards of technological innovations have far outweighed the negatives. The digital revolution has altered conceptions of time and distance. It has created a wealth of information that is available at the stroke of a key. Not since the invention of the printing press has the distribution and consumption of information been so democratized. The rapidly changing technological landscape has put students and teachers in the cross-hairs. Can students be positively impacted by this digital revolution?†¦show more content†¦Weaving technology into the curriculum and assessment is paramount to improving pedagogy. Students and teachers alike must be fluent in the language of modernity and wield the tools of the digital age with ease. The im portant issue for the evolution of school curriculum is not the availability and affordability of sophisticated computers and telecommunications, but the ways these devices enable powerful learning situations that aid students in extracting meaning out of complexity (Dede, 2000, p. 16). Importance of Technology Proficiency As an educator in the 21st Century, it is imperative to integrate technology into the curriculum for a variety of reasons. Students can gain from the use of technology and improve performance in the classroom. Students need to be exposed to and familiar with current technologies in order to compete in a world marketplace. Children today need a global awareness and new economic and civic literacies to work seamlessly with various technologies and integrate those in dynamic social environments(Lee Spires, 2008, p. 77). The world is dominated by technology in all forms and in order to be successful students must posses 21st Century skills (CEO Forum, 2001). Incorporation of Technology Leads to Student Gains Students of all levels and abilities, as well as teachers, benefit from technology in the classroom. Research has shown that whenShow MoreRelatedCritical Thinking And Problem Solving Skills1648 Words   |  7 Pagesevolution and role of technology. Learners within the 21st Century are experiencing an education where they are taught to collaboratively communicate and construct new understandings, while acquiring higher order thinking skills to apply beyond the classroom environment. This essay will examine pedagogies and theories regarding the impact upon the quality of education within the 21st Century through the use of digital technology. By exploring research based on the integration of technology in modern learningRead MoreTeaching A New Generation Of Students815 Words   |  4 Pagesworld economy. However, how much of our educational system has changed to meet the demands of the 21st century? 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