EXPAND #3, Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Teaching With The Tools Kids Really Use discusses the importance of educators and students alike making the move to use technology as an educational tool rather than an occasional reward. The chapter mainly focuses on the skills that students need to be able to use and they are known as the 21st century skills. The chapter includes two websites as follow up resources to the content in this chapter. Let me just tell you, this is by far one of the best website out there for educators. The content and the layout of the website are so pleasing to the eye and to follow that it seems almost anyone can use it. What I like most about the website it that links are provided that allow for downloading of the content in a PDF format. That can make for e-reading intergration super easy.  The most helpful link on the website would have to be that of the frequently asked questions. That is mainly because with a topic so broad like the 21st century skills, the website does a pretty good job at explaining what they are and what they purpose of the sites for. In addition, there are links to current work being done by various states. Sadly tennessee is not listed, but the ability to see what states are doing at the moment is nice. Overall this website is great for general information and follow up for more in-depth understanding of what the 21st century skills are and how they can be included in daily classroom instruction.

As it relates to the content in the book, this website is generally a more in-depth extension of the material presented in the text. However, the one plus that I see is that the content is geared more toward an academic audience and mainly professional fielded areas. I could see the website being overwhelming for those just looking for simple quick answers or information for the 21st century skills, but that is why there is the book Teaching With The Tools Kids Really Use.  Overall the material in the book and the website are identical, they are just geared toward two different audiences.