Authentic Lessons for 21st Century Learning

Creative Tools for Real-World Learning

Shayna Pond | Published: May 2nd, 2023 by K20 Center

Summary

Several studies have found that using technology in instruction increases student motivation and learning outcomes (Higgins et al, 2017). Such opportunities personalize, engage, and create interactive experiences and an atmosphere of complex collaboration where students work together to solve open-ended problems and develop products, practicing social learning tasks that hold value in the world of work and resulting in the development of their identities as future professionals (Koomen et al., 2018). Consider using some of the lessons and creative tech tools in this collection to engage students in showing their learning by creating and sharing real-world products that are significant to an authentic audience beyond school (Dishon, G. 2021). Dishon, G. (2020). The new natural? Authenticity and the naturalization of Educational Technologies. Learning, Media and Technology. Higgins, K., Huscroft-D’Angelo, J., & Crawford, L. (2017). Effects of technology in mathematics on achievement, motivation, and attitude: A meta-analysis. Journal of Educational Computing Research. Koomen, M. H., Rodriguez, E., Hoffman, A., Petersen, C., &; Oberhauser, K. (2018). Authentic science with citizen science and student-driven science fair projects. Science Education.

Resources

Image Mash-up

Digital Image Editing, Collage Art, and Fair Use

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - Secondary

In this visual arts lesson, students will look at examples of photo touch-ups, restoration, and mash-ups. They will practice by attempting to make a mash-up with provided practice images. As a class, students will discuss what they tried to do with the software to make it work, share any tricks learned,... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson
Image Mash-up

Digital Image Editing, Collage Art, and Fair Use

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - Secondary

Subject Subject

  • Visual Arts

Course Course

  • Visual Arts

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • I.VA.CP.1.1 , I.VA.CP.2.2 , I.VA.ARCM.1.4
More 2 periods
Time Frame

Digital Drawing Tools: Krita, Quiver, Google Drawings

"Kind of Like an Octopus"

Creating Instructional Content for YouTube

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

Students discuss their favorite content creators on YouTube. They explore different content creators on a Wakelet and consider what it is about the video that makes it intriguing. Students learn from a YouTube content creator that creating YouTube videos is "kind of like an octopus"—you need a lot of... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson
"Kind of Like an Octopus"

Creating Instructional Content for YouTube

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

Subject Subject

  • English/Language Arts

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • 11.1.W.1, 11.5.W.3, 11.7.W.1
More 3-4 class periods
Time Frame 60 minutes
Loop Me In

Creating Music with Loops

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 8th - 12th

In this lesson, students will participate in a “Tip of the Iceberg” activity to track what they know about using loops throughout the lesson. First, students will create a loop using Chrome Music Lab’s Melody Maker. Then, they will discuss what a loop is and watch a professional musician build a full... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson
Loop Me In

Creating Music with Loops

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 8th - 12th

Course Course

  • Music

Subject Subject

  • Performing Arts, music

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • M.CR.1 , P.M.CR.1 , M.CR.2 , P.M.CR.2 , M.CR.3 , P.M.CR.3 , M.CR.4 , P.M.CR.4 , ISTE6, ISTE6b
More 1 period
Time Frame 50 minutes

Music Creation Tools: GarageBand, Bandlab, Flat

Students learn about their motivations by playing Would You Rather, completing a motivation inventory, and sorting extrinsic and intrinsic motivators. They apply their knowledge to create a vision board for completing a task. Read more »

Educator Resource

Tag Calendar Placement

  • Any time of year

User Group Group Size

  • Large Group (at least 30), Medium Group (at least 10), Small Group, Whole Class

Tag Intention Or Purpose

  • Reflection

Tag College & Career Readiness Framework

  • College Admissions Procedures, Extracurricular Activities

Tag Family Engagement

  • Decision-Making
More
Time Frame 75 minutes

Standards

ISTE Standards for Students (For Students (2016))
ISTE6: Creative Communicator- Students communicate clearly and express themselves creatively for a variety of purposes using the platforms, tools, styles, formats and digital media appropriate to their goals.
ISTE6b: Students create original works or responsibly repurpose or remix digital resources into new creations. 
Oklahoma Academic Standards for English Language Arts (Grade 11)
11.1.W.1: Students will give formal and informal presentations in a group or individually, providing textual and visual evidence to support a main idea.
11.5.W.3: Students will demonstrate command of Standard American English, grammar, mechanics, and usage through writing, presentations, and/or other modes of communication to convey specific meanings and interests.
11.7.W.1: Students will design and develop multimodal content for a variety of purposes.

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