Emerging Technologies: Perspectives from Metacognitive Teachers

Emerging technologies enhance student learning through the explicit intentional educational design such as Active Learning Classrooms, Flipped Classrooms, Problem Based Learning, and Project Based Learning to empower students. Throughout this article, we will describe several emerging technologies that support learning for the 21st century using student-centered learning models. By means of vignettes, we model how a Metacognitive Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge Framework (M-TPACK) supports the use of emerging technologies for active learning (Wilson, Zygouris-Coe, Cardullo, & Fong, 2013). Throughout all of the vignettes, we draw connections to the various emerging technologies and the level of integration using both Blooms Taxonomy (Bloom et al., 1956) and the SAMR Model: Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition (Puentedura, 2006). KEywoRDS Active Learning, App Smashing, Emerging Technologies, Flipped Classroom, Problem Based Learning, Project Based Learning, Second Screen INTRoDUCTIoN Teaching and preparing students for learning in the 21st century is becoming increasingly more complicated. Active Learning defined as any instructional method that engages students in the learning process. Active learning requires students to think about what they are doing. The general concept of active learning is to enhance self-learning through problem solving. It often requires the development of new methods of teaching and learning thus enhancing the role of the student. It is the essential elements that focus on students’ engagement and interact with the learning process (Prince, 2004). Today’s students differ from the students our educational system was designed to teach. The Assessment and Teaching of 21st Century Skills committee (ATC21S)1 postulate that 21st century skills are categorized into four domains: (1) ways of thinking—creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making and learning; (2) ways of working— communication and collaboration; (3) tools for working—information and communication technology (ICT), and information literacy; and, (4) skills for living in the world—citizenship, life and career, and personal and social responsibility.