CUSTOMER NEEDS
The primary goal for administrators and teachers is to educate children – preparing them to live and work in today’s complex world. Students need to learn basic skills – such as problem solving, communication, and interpersonal skills – plus the information to support good decision making.
Technology
The industry group Partnership for 21st Century Skills has outlined how technology can play a significant role in teaching these skills and how technology skills are themselves vital to teaching and learning. As Table 1 shows, students must have information and communications technology (ICT) literacy.
Communication
An effective technology solution should create digital learning spaces that support those vital 21st century skills. It must facilitate communications among the many education stakeholders – students, teachers, principals, and parents.
•Students get information and share projects by working confidently with tools such as the Internet, audio and video collaboration.
•Teachers and administrators can share best practices to generate new ideas and leverage the competencies of other teaching professionals.
•Parental support and involvement are key to a child’s education. Without it, a child can easily fall behind in school and even develop social problems.
Communications technologies are a primary tool for relaying important information about a child's activities and progress in a timely and effective manner.
Table 1. Partnership for 21St Century Skills Learning | Matrix, www.21stcenturyskills.org |
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Learning skills + | 21st Century Tools | = ICT Literacy |
Thinking and problem solving skills | Problem solving tools – spreadsheets, | Manage complexity, solve problems, |
| decision support, etc. | think critically |
Information and communication skills | Communications tools – | Access, manage, integrate, evaluate |
| create and communicate information | |
Interpersonal and | Personal development tools – | Enhance productivity and |
| personal development | |
| collaboration |
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