As the use of technology is becoming more prevalent in today's classrooms, students need to be informed of the do's and don'ts when engaging in such material. As I am navigating through various websites and online resources, I subconsciously started gathering a list of skills I thought necessary to be a safe and successful twenty-first century learner - something I would share with my future students. Though there are many skills one could have that would be beneficial when engaging with media and technology, I have narrowed it down to ten well rounded skills set up for success. My list is as follows:
Top 10 Skills for Successful Students
1. Stay Alert and Stay Safe
Being able to recognize what technological resources are safe and what pose harmful threats are a valuable skill to have when using technology. Walking into a "technology trap" can easily be done - but knowing how to avoid them or maneuver you're way around them will save you time and turmoil in the end.
2. Remain a Constant Learner
Think you know everything about technology? Well think again - no one knows everything about anything, as we constantly learn new things on a daily basis. If you remain open to learning new things on a daily basis, you're technological experience will grow - and so will your brain!
3. Remain Optimistic
Using new resources can be tough - things don't always go as we'd hoped, we run into unexpected roadblocks, and frustration arises - and that's ok! Remaining optimistic through the rough patches will allow you to power through whatever obstacles are thrown your way, making you a better technological navigator in the end.
4. Collaborate With Others
Think you have a ton of super cool ideas? Imagine how many ideas there would be if you and millions of other individuals could share and pool your ideas together. Cool right? Collaborating with others can expand your thinking and lead you to the creation of new ideas. Two heads are always better than one!
5. Innovate and Create
Many resources allow you to explore and create beyond your imagination - harness your inner creativity, take advantage, and create or discover something you've never done before!
6. Ask Questions
Like I said before, no one knows everything about anything. If you have a question, make sure you ask it - chances are someone else has the exact same question as you do - so ask it for them! Asking questions will also ensure you're safety and help you avoid unwanted sites, resources and applications.
7. Educate Yourself
Make sure to educate yourself on the tools before venturing out on your technological journey - being able to understand the tools you are about to use will allow you to navigate safely and effectively through your technological journey.
8. Manage Your Time
When engaging with technology and media, one can lose all track of time. Keep in mind how long you've been on the computer, or whatever resource you're using as sitting in front of a screen for too long can cause unwanted health risks. So even though using media and technology is super fun, remember to take a breather - go outside, read a book, or play a game with a friend and come back to your technological search later.
9. Reflect
It is always important to reflect on your experiences no matter the circumstance. What did I do today? What can I take away from it? How could I have done things differently? What did I enjoy about this experience? Taking the time to understand what you discovered or learned and reflecting upon those experiences can deeper your understanding of the provided material.
10. Have Fun
Last but not least, have fun! Engaging in the use of media and technology is always a blast as you discover new games, resources and applications. Remember to try new things, take (safe) risks and learn something new - you won't regret it!
Top 10 Skills for Successful Students
1. Stay Alert and Stay Safe
Being able to recognize what technological resources are safe and what pose harmful threats are a valuable skill to have when using technology. Walking into a "technology trap" can easily be done - but knowing how to avoid them or maneuver you're way around them will save you time and turmoil in the end.
2. Remain a Constant Learner
Think you know everything about technology? Well think again - no one knows everything about anything, as we constantly learn new things on a daily basis. If you remain open to learning new things on a daily basis, you're technological experience will grow - and so will your brain!
3. Remain Optimistic
Using new resources can be tough - things don't always go as we'd hoped, we run into unexpected roadblocks, and frustration arises - and that's ok! Remaining optimistic through the rough patches will allow you to power through whatever obstacles are thrown your way, making you a better technological navigator in the end.
4. Collaborate With Others
Think you have a ton of super cool ideas? Imagine how many ideas there would be if you and millions of other individuals could share and pool your ideas together. Cool right? Collaborating with others can expand your thinking and lead you to the creation of new ideas. Two heads are always better than one!
5. Innovate and Create
Many resources allow you to explore and create beyond your imagination - harness your inner creativity, take advantage, and create or discover something you've never done before!
6. Ask Questions
Like I said before, no one knows everything about anything. If you have a question, make sure you ask it - chances are someone else has the exact same question as you do - so ask it for them! Asking questions will also ensure you're safety and help you avoid unwanted sites, resources and applications.
7. Educate Yourself
Make sure to educate yourself on the tools before venturing out on your technological journey - being able to understand the tools you are about to use will allow you to navigate safely and effectively through your technological journey.
8. Manage Your Time
When engaging with technology and media, one can lose all track of time. Keep in mind how long you've been on the computer, or whatever resource you're using as sitting in front of a screen for too long can cause unwanted health risks. So even though using media and technology is super fun, remember to take a breather - go outside, read a book, or play a game with a friend and come back to your technological search later.
9. Reflect
It is always important to reflect on your experiences no matter the circumstance. What did I do today? What can I take away from it? How could I have done things differently? What did I enjoy about this experience? Taking the time to understand what you discovered or learned and reflecting upon those experiences can deeper your understanding of the provided material.
10. Have Fun
Last but not least, have fun! Engaging in the use of media and technology is always a blast as you discover new games, resources and applications. Remember to try new things, take (safe) risks and learn something new - you won't regret it!