For a great read, check out “How Will Classrooms Change With the Use of Computers?“
One of the quotes really resonated with me.
“It’s going to be more about teachers having nimble classrooms.”
To me, this means a number of things and many teachers are embracing it already although they may not have considered their classes “nimble”.
I’m seeing:
- No need for a traditional computer lab which conveys the notion that computers are a distinct subject;
- Portable computers that are invited into the learning environment at the point of instruction;
- Engaging students in learning activities that are truly different – not just the same old stuff transposed to a computer;
- Considering smart phones, tablets, etc. as just another computer;
- Conversations within and without the classroom with teacher as guide not as the dispenser of information;
- Creating new content to address expectations where the old content just doesn’t cut it;
- Students confident in their abilities so that they become the experts and geniuses in a subject area;
- A blend of face to face and online learning experiences becoming the norm;
- A classroom that can be reorganized on a moment’s notice as required;
- Traditional literature pieces replaced by multimedia including podcasts, videos, broadcasts, hangouts;
- Classrooms complete with a suite of tools where students elect to use the most appropriate one;
- Students not only using the technology but can describe critically why they choose to use it;
- This point intentionally left blank – if a classroom is truly nimble, this list should never be complete.
What does “nimble classroom” mean to you?
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The content of this blog is generated by whatever strikes my fancy at any given point. It might be computers, weather, political, or something else in nature. I experiment and comment a lot on things so don't take anything here too seriously; I might change my mind a day later but what you read is my thought and opinion at the time I wrote it! My formal education includes a Bachelor of Mathematics degree from the University of Waterloo and a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Toronto. Ontario Ministry of Education and Training qualifications are in Data Processing, Computer Science, Accounting, and Mathematics. My personal website is at: http://www.dougpeterson.ca Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/dougpete I'm bookmarking things at: http://www.delicious.com/dougpete
An add-on to bullet #6 – teaching new expectations where the old ones don’t cut it. I’m thinking blogging and commenting. Sometimes it’s tough to find a clear link in the curriculum document for a skill you want your kids to learn only because the language or need didn’t exist previously.