When I think about technology in the classroom today, I think of
- Smartphones
- Apple products
- Laptops
- Smart Boards
Moore's Law: "Over the history of computing hardware, the number of transistors on integrated circuits doubles approximately every two years" - Wikipedia, 2013-09-16, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moore%27s_law
What does the Moore's law mean? It means that in computer hardware world, computing power is predicted to rise exponentially with time.
Being the software girl that I am, I will not try to envision the types of devices that will arrive in the coming 20 years, but rather focus on what the current technological devices that we have now can do to enhance the classroom experience.
Even though the topic is technology in the classroom in 20 years, I strongly feel that this vision can be made possible in the next couple of years.
Being the software girl that I am, I will not try to envision the types of devices that will arrive in the coming 20 years, but rather focus on what the current technological devices that we have now can do to enhance the classroom experience.
Even though the topic is technology in the classroom in 20 years, I strongly feel that this vision can be made possible in the next couple of years.
Personalized Learning:
With Youtube, Google, Wikipedia, Moodle, Blackboard and number of different Computer-Based-Training (CBTs) emerging in the market, teaching no longer need to be a passive teacher deliver, student receive type of situation. Learning can easily be done by a student watching a video on YouTube or Googling a topic of interest on their own. This said, student learning can easily be tailored to the needs and interests of a student.
With Youtube, Google, Wikipedia, Moodle, Blackboard and number of different Computer-Based-Training (CBTs) emerging in the market, teaching no longer need to be a passive teacher deliver, student receive type of situation. Learning can easily be done by a student watching a video on YouTube or Googling a topic of interest on their own. This said, student learning can easily be tailored to the needs and interests of a student.
| Augmented Reality: For those who are not familiar with augmented reality, please watch this video: With presence of a camera on a computing device, books, inanimate objects can be brought to life. The physical world can as easily be virtualized into a text that students can read information about. |
Global Classroom/ Social Driven Learning:
Why can't teacher's twitter professional network (that was introduced to us by Kurtis Hewson)extend to students. Classroom no longer need to be limited by the physical walls of the classroom or school. I envision students collaborating and participating in musical, reading, writing, math activities virtually with other students is physically located on the other side of the world. This is completely possible through the use of social media such as twitter, pintrest, Facebook where ideas can be shared. Students can also easily use Google gchat to connect live to work on a mind map or presentation.
Teacher's Role:
All the technologies that I mentioned above already exist, but teachers will need to take on a big role of implementing and ensuring effective use of the technologies in the classroom. For this vision to happen over the next 20 years, teachers will need to immerse themselves into these technological trends as well as promote and help student form their virtual identity. Teacher's role will need to evolve into a facilitator role to help guide students in their self-development.
This all said, I strongly feel that classroom is place where students develop social, interpersonal relationships, community and identity in society and technology, by no means can replace the need for physical presence and interactions between teachers with students and peers to peers. Technology can be a useful tool in the classroom to further advance student learning; however, it is not a substitute for good teaching.
Why can't teacher's twitter professional network (that was introduced to us by Kurtis Hewson)extend to students. Classroom no longer need to be limited by the physical walls of the classroom or school. I envision students collaborating and participating in musical, reading, writing, math activities virtually with other students is physically located on the other side of the world. This is completely possible through the use of social media such as twitter, pintrest, Facebook where ideas can be shared. Students can also easily use Google gchat to connect live to work on a mind map or presentation.
Teacher's Role:
All the technologies that I mentioned above already exist, but teachers will need to take on a big role of implementing and ensuring effective use of the technologies in the classroom. For this vision to happen over the next 20 years, teachers will need to immerse themselves into these technological trends as well as promote and help student form their virtual identity. Teacher's role will need to evolve into a facilitator role to help guide students in their self-development.
This all said, I strongly feel that classroom is place where students develop social, interpersonal relationships, community and identity in society and technology, by no means can replace the need for physical presence and interactions between teachers with students and peers to peers. Technology can be a useful tool in the classroom to further advance student learning; however, it is not a substitute for good teaching.