21st-Century Teaching and Learning Evolution

21st-Century Teaching and Learning Evolution

1. As schools and students become more technologically advanced, we teachers need EdTech tools to ensure students are engaged and protected while learning online.

   • Orangewood Christian School (OCS) in Maitland, Florida began a connected classroom program in January 2013. They decided to implement a bring-your-own-device environment for five reasons:
     • To improve 21st-century learning skills.
     • Greater engagement through multimedia.
     • Deeper learning.
     • Better writing skills.
     • Easier integration of technology into instruction.
   • With the flutter of non-sanctioned activity online, it was difficult for teachers to monitor every student in the classroom while trying to implement lesson plans. The most challenging issues their faculty faced fall into these three categories.
     • Student Safety and Monitoring.
     • Integrating Meaningful Technology Into the Curriculum.
     • Training Teachers on Current Trends.
       • Searching for Solutions
         • In searching for an in-classroom tool for teachers, they found that NetRef offered the balance they were looking for.
           • Utilizing a classroom management system that allows an at-a-glance view of real-time student Internet activity.
           • Having a software solution that operates in the background gives us the freedom to use technology in the classroom within a framework that is safe and promotes learning at its highest level.
           • Teachers can use the reporting functions to generate individual daily, weekly or monthly Internet use reports to help encourage good Internet habits.