By Carolyn McCarthy


ELA Basics


Staying Organized Digital Footprint Productivity Suite Search Strategies Powerful Presentations


SOCIAL STUDIES


The 21Things4Students (http://www.21things4studetns.net), originated by a team from Ingham ISD, Macomb ISD, and Shiawassee RESD, helps students master basic technology skills. The team leaders, with assistance from the REMC Instructional Technology Specialists (RITS) committee members, developed the


21Things4Students site. Local support for this REMC Association of Michigan funded project is provided through the ISDs.


The site, piloted by 40 schools in the spring of 2011, was formally launched in September 2011. It targets students in grades 6-8 but can also be used at the elementary and high school level. Students access free Web2.0 tools, instructional videos, and online activities to create a digital portfolio of project based learning activities. Students satisfactorily completing the 21things4students content are deemed proficient for state reporting in 8th grade technology.


All site resources and activities are aligned to the National Education Technology Standards for Students (NETS- S), the Michigan Educational Technology Standards for Students (METS) and the Framework for 21st Century Learning (Partnership for 21st Century Skills).


Teacher Resource pages provide local instructors with supporting documents, materials, rubrics for evaluation, and additional activi- ties for enrichment and re-teaching.


BY THE NUMBERS - NOVEMBER 2011 • 300+ teachers had registered to use the site and resources


• 905 Classes will be involved o K-5, 87 o 6-8, 420 o 9-12, 298


• 41,475 to 65,428 - Number of students impacted


Although the website can be freely used to teach any of the “things” independently, ensuring that all students are proficient in technol- ogy requires district planning. It is recommended that districts using the 21things4students content develop an integration plan based on local resources.


The 21Things4Students content can be implemented in a variety of ways, including multi-year/grades, integration into current curricu- lum/content, or by offering a dedicated course.


Examples of implementation models include:


MODEL 1—CURRICULUM INTEGRATION Each content area integrates certain “things” into their course


MACULJOURNAL |


Digital Citizenship Be Legal and Fair Learning Online Buyer Beware Career Prep


MATH


Game Creation Dig the Data


Mobile Computing Personal Networks Interactive Learning


SCIENCE


Video Creation Troubleshooting Visual Organizers Screencasting Digital Images


content. Students are exposed to all 21things within the four core/ required area courses.


MODEL 2 — MULTI-YEAR/GRADE PLAN


Each grade level is responsible for integrating and teaching certain “Things” across the curriculum. Sample: • Grade 6—Complete 7 things • Grade 7—Complete 7 things • Grade 8—Complete 7 things


MODEL 3 — DEDICATED COURSE(S)


The school offers a course focused on teaching all 21things using a project based learning approach. The course can be followed from the website (www.21things4students.net) and is also available in Blackboard and Moodle. Contact your local REMC for the course export.


TEACHER REACTION • 21things4students” presents real-world skills that students will be able to take with them to business or IT careers.” Scott Husken, Teacher, Anchor Bay Middle School South - Grades 6-8


• “21things4students is an engaging, interactive program that makes learning vital technology concepts fun! My students loved it!” Kathy Campau, Teacher, Richmond Middle School, 5-8 Technology


• “21things4students is the only open source resource that I have found that provides information, web links, and activities for students and teachers that cover the National and Michigan Technology Standards. Teachers in all subject areas can now be better equipped to integrate the technology standards regardless of their technology proficiency. 21things4students is powerful, ever- changing, and engaging; I look forward to seeing the transformation in education!” Renee Jorae, Teacher, St. Johns Middle School, 6-8 Technology


STUDENT FEEDBACK • “It was just so much work to take in and complete, but I was happy when I got it all together.”


• • • • • •


“I enjoy learning something new.”


“I loved discovering the different websites other people had interests in.” “It was easy but a little confusing if you don’t pay attention.” “This was awesome.”


“Somehow get it to load faster.” “This activity was fun and perfect.”


Carolyn McCarthy is the 21Things4Students Project Manager and can be reached at cjmccarthy56@gmail.com.


Conference 2012


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