With the new normal of online learning, due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, teachers have had to acclimate themselves to becoming 21st century educators. As I researched articles and watched videos of 21st century learning, I realized that most did not have a concrete definition of 21st century learning, rather a definition of 21st century skills. Elizabeth Rich (2010) mentions that, “the term "21st-century skills" is generally used to refer to certain core competencies such as collaboration, digital literacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving that advocates schools need to teach to help students thrive in today's world.” 21st century learning allows students to have learning experiences that are student centered, promote critical thinking skills, use technology, and prepare students for the future.

In the next few weeks, my second grade students will be starting their new math unit virtually on place value. Throughout the unit, the expectation is that students will use tactile manipulatives that they can manipulate to count by ones, tens, and hundreds. However, due to virtual learning, that is not possible. Through the use of my professional learning network, I was able to find an online tool that students will have access to virtually. In the first lesson, students will be able to move the ones, tens, and hundreds and count them in their appropriate spot. The first lesson can be read here.With google forms, google slides, and this online tool, students will become proficient in place value.

Through the lesson plan, there are many aspects of 21st century learning. Within my lesson, students are engaged in student centered learning. When they work through manipulating the place value by counting ones,tens, and hundreds, they are working through what they are learning, why they are learning, and how they are going to learn. Students have more control over what they are learning in order to teach themselves (Huntsman School of Business, 2013).

Technology is another component of my lesson. In Budhai and Taddei’s (2015), Teaching the 4C’s with Technology, they express how technology creates a substitution for another tool that carries the same function. It does not change the learning environment, yet it enhances the learning. In the learning activity I created, it replaces the idea of students using tactile manipulatives and allows accessibility to all students to play with the manipulatives virtually. When implementing 21st century learning into the classroom and the use of TPACK, anything is possible.

When creating this lesson plan, I struggled. I struggled with finding the right learning tools for my students to use that are easily accessible to them. Through teaching virtually, students do not have all the tools readily available such as paper clips, bookmarks, and meter sticks. When I find an online tool that can be used, I believe that students succeed much more. My second grade students need visual and tactile aides to be successful learners. Giving students what they need to learn, lets them become more student centered and diverse.

What concerns me about 21st century learning are the critical thinking skills students need to become 21st century learners. Through the learning process, this skill is taught. However, the,”“skills that are novel" and "skills that must be taught more intentionally and effectively,” can differ in each child based on their level of growth (Rottherham and Willingham, 2009). In other words, some students will benefit from gaining critical thinking skills, while others will not because they need a classroom environment where they are taught instead of learning on their own. Students have to master memorizing facts and critical thinking. These skills are not new, however, for a student to be student centered and take control of their own learning students need to be taught how. For students to grasp 21st century learning skills, they need better curriculum, high quality teachers,and better assessments (Rottherham and Willingham, 2009) These learning skills are important for students to learn.

Overall, 21st century learning is here to stay. Incorporating 21st century learning has become best practice in order to prepare students for the future and to incorporate technology when needed.