Students need opportunities to build a variety of skills in our classrooms. They need to develop essential SEL skills and engage in learning experiences that promote student agency and spark curiosity. There are a variety of methods and digital tools that help to promote collaboration, communication, creativity, and many of these essential skills. We must always start by focusing on the why the choices we make. Consider the content that you are teaching and then choose a method such as learning stations, choice boards, hyperdocs, or project-based learning (PBL) for example, to amplify and transform the learning experiences. Once you decide on a method, then explore tools that will help to facilitate the method. There is so much power when we purposefully leverage digital tools and methods that help students not only build content knowledge but to collaborate with and learn from each other.
As students participate more in learning which is self-directed through a method like PBL or the use of choice boards for how to show their learning, they will become more confident and engage in meaningful learning experiences. Authentic, meaningful, and relevant learning will increase student motivation and boost engagement. To best prepare for their future whether in education or careers, students need to be connected with real-world learning experiences. According to the Job Skills Outlook from the World Economic Forum, the skills of collaboration, communication, creativity, problem solving and resilience are in demand. When faced with challenges, it is important that students can deal with stress, understand and manage emotions, and be able to set goals to work through these challenges.
Choosing methods and tools can take some time, however, when it comes to starting with new digital tools, many offer ready-to-run lessons and templates. There are also many options available that take little time to get started with and offer versatile uses for the classroom. Here are 8 options (in alphabetical order) that can help with fostering the development of SEL and future-focused skills for students.
When we create learning experiences that will more meaningfully engage students with the content, while also aiming to move them from consumers to creators, it increases student engagement and amplifies student achievement. With these tools, we also promote collaboration which is a crucial skill that is valued by employers and can greatly benefit students in their academic and professional careers.
Technology has created new and exciting ways for students to build collaboration skills and work together on projects, no matter where they are. By using versatile digital tools and methods that promote the development of SEL skills, students will gain valuable experience working with others and build the skills that are essential for success in their careers.
About the Author:
Rachelle Dené is a Spanish and STEAM: What’s nExT in Emerging Technology Teacher at Riverview High School in Oakmont, PA. Rachelle is also an attorney with a Juris Doctor degree from Duquesne University School of Law and a Master’s in Instructional Technology. Rachelle is an ISTE Certified Educator and serves as the past president of the ISTE Teacher Education Network. She was named one of 30 K-12 IT Influencers to follow in 2021.
She is the author of seven books including ‘In Other Words: Quotes That Push Our Thinking,” “Unconventional Ways to Thrive in EDU”, “The Future is Now: Looking Back to Move Ahead,” “Chart A New Course: A Guide to Teaching Essential Skills for Tomorrow’s World, “True Story: Lessons That One Kid Taught Us” and her newest book “Things I Wish […] Knew” is now available at bit.ly/thingsiwishedu.
Follow Rachelle on Twitter @Rdene915 and on Instagram @Rdene915. Rachelle has a podcast, ThriveinEDU available at https://anchor.fm/rdene915