21Things4Students

21Things4Students is a web-based resource developed by Macomb Intermediate School District, Ingham Intermediate School District, and Shiawassee Regional Educational Service Agency, in collaboration with the Michigan REMC Association. 21Things4Students consists of 21 instructional modules or “Things” that address areas of technology use with embedded project-based activities and assignments. Students using the 21Things4Students resource create individualized digital portfolios with evidence of their proficiency, and have an opportunity to earn digital badges that reflect their accomplishments.

Teachers can choose to use the various modules collectively as a ready-to-go technology course, or separately as a set of resources for increasing student proficiency in targeted technology skills. The project also provides support for teachers who may need technology skill support while using the 21Things4Students in their classroom by cross-referencing resources with tutorials provided in a companion project, 21Things4Teachers  (also an ISTE Seal of Alignment awardee).

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Features

• Free, web-based resource
• 21 project-based learning modules
• Appropriate for grades 5-9
• Support materials available for teachers

Seal of Alignment Review

21Things4Students successfully underwent the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Seal of Alignment review for Readiness. Reviewers determined this resource helps build foundational technology skills needed to support the ISTE Standards for Students.

21Things4Students is a free project-based curriculum resource with a focus on improving technology proficiency among students in grades 5-9. The material is well organized, rich in content, and easy to use. Addressing a wide variety of skills including technology basics and sophisticated concepts, students that successfully complete the curriculum will be well equipped to engage in instructional efforts in which technology is applied as a robust learning tool. The quests themselves are both appropriate and engaging for the target student population, and user motivation is easily maintained with badges and certificates to award to students as they progress. After careful review of the curriculum, reviewers concluded that this resource fosters the development of a strong, broad foundation of technology skills and 21Things4Students was found to support all the ISTE Standards for Student indicators.

"21Thing4Students is flexible, engaging, free, and effective. Whether adopted in whole or in part, it would make a valuable addition to any school's technology training resources."

— ISTE Review Report

21Things4Students was found to support the following ISTE Standards for Students:

1. Creativity and Collaboration

1.a. Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes
1.b. Create original works as a means of personal or group expression
1.c. Use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues
1.d. Identify trends and forecast possibilities

2. Communication and Collaboration

2.a. Interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts or others employing a variety of digital environments and media
2.b. Communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats
2.c. Develop cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with learners of other cultures
2.d. Contribute to project teams to produce original works or solve problems

3. Research and Information Fluency

3.a. Plan strategies to guide inquiry
3.b. Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media
3.c. Evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks
3.d. Process data and report results

4. Critical thinking and problem solving

4.a. Identify and define authentic problems and significant questions for investigation
4.b. Plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project
4.c. Collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions
4.d. Use multiple processes and diverse perspectives to explore alternative solutions

5. Digital Citizenship

5.a. Advocate and practicing safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology
5.b. Exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity
5.c. Demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learning
5.d. Exhibit leadership for digital citizenship

6. Technology operations and concepts

6.a. Understand and use technology systems
6.b. Select and use applications effectively and productively
6.c. Troubleshoot systems and applications
6.d. Transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologies