Compelling Question
How can utilizing digital tools in a collaborative manner increase student motivation, engagement, participation, and global communication?
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Abstract
This creative synthesis project examines the impact digital tools have in increasing students’ motivation to learn, increasing their levels of engagement and participation while also expanding students' opportunity to communicate globally with students of another culture. Over the past several years I have found that some of my students did not possess a great deal of intrinsic motivation and at times struggled to participate and engage fully in topics that were not of great interest to them personally. I also at times noticed that my students lacked a sense of global awareness and understanding about cultures other than their own. However, it became evident that when digital tools were utilized, my students were more inclined to put forth their best effort. Their motivation to learn, as well as their level of engagement and participation, all increased. Over the last two years in my classroom I have implemented numerous projects that utilize digital tools in a collaborative manner across the different subject areas. Through these projects, data has shown not only an increase in the motivation, participation and engagement levels of my students, it has also shown an increase in my student's desire to learn about cultures different from their own. Moving forward, I will continue to provide my students with even more opportunities to learn, using digital tools as a way to increase motivation, participation and engagement. I will also continue to create opportunities for my students to collaborate with students in other countries in order to better prepare them, as they become 21st century learners in an increasingly global society.