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“Students must be equipped to live in a multifaceted, multitasking, technology-driven world.

And, regardless of their economic background, we must also ensure that all students have equal access

to this new technological world” (Tucker, 2014). Bridging the gap between the way students learn and

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the way that they live is a challenge that many teachers in the 21 Century face on a daily basis.

Embracing the digital age isn’t always easy, but it is something that seems inevitable this day in age. In

this summary I intend to cover collaborative learning, transforming pedagogies, and tools and resources

available to help teachers bridge that gap.

Through collaborative learning, students are encouraged to work together to solve problems,

discuss ideas, and acquire new knowledge. Numerous organizations such as Partnership for 21st Century

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Skills (P21), exist to advocate collaborative learning and 21 century readiness for all students. They

provide tools and resources to the educational system to assist in preparing students to compete in a

global economy that demands innovation by fusing the 3Rs and 4Cs (communication, collaboration,

critical thinking and problem solving, and creativity and innovation).

With technology literally at our fingertips, teachers are working hard to transform their current

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pedagogies by creating a 21 century classroom with technology. The purpose of technology should not

be to replace a textbook, but rather to create opportunities for students to create connections through

developing innovative and creative way to use that technology. “Teachers should model digital-age

learning and work. They should exhibit knowledge and skills that represent an innovative professional in

a digital and global society” (Tucker).

As teachers work to find new ways to integrate technology into the classroom, it is important for

them to be aware of the variety of tools and resources available. Tucker discusses an assortment of

forums such as blogs, websites, online management tools, message boards, Museum Box, a tool that

can be used to build an argument or to describe an event, historical period, or person, and other

multimedia. Many of these tools are free, easy to use, and accessible through memberships,