The future of technology in the classroom is heavily debated. Will computers continue to be a significant feature in the classroom? Will its appeal fade? Or will it become the central focus of the classroom?
I think that we can all agree that teachers will always play a central role in the classroom. Robots or other forms of technology will never gain control of the classroom because kids need human interaction, motivation and moral support from teachers, not simply a source of information. I think that computers will eventually be used in a cheaper, more transportable way, in a device very much like the iphone which features almost all of the great tools that computers do, in addition to its functions as a cell phone, camera and video recorder. Education is always looking for innovation but not necessarily reinvention. The core curriculum will continue to be taught in the future, however it would be modified especially in the growing field of computer science, business and even history because students will learn about events that are taking place now such as studying the Obama administration. Because technology caters to the student, as more and more advanced software comes out grades will also improve more and more because certain types of learners require a certain type of approach.
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Sarah:
ReplyDeleteYes. I'm glad you realize that the teacher always will play a key role in the classroom: it will be his/her job to make sure the content is being taught, students are learning.
Perhaps in terms of technology, the computers and the smartboards will stick in technology integration in classrooms. However, how about replacing the stations with laptops [or some transportable device as you mention] so students can take the tool home with them like they do now with pencil and paper, books?
The laptops and smartboards both offer the least amount of 'interruption' in the way the classrooms are right now: the smartboard would replace the chalkboard, replaced by the whiteboard; the laptops would replace notebooks, paper and pencils [or become an additional tool].
I do hope that in your teaching-lifetime that laptop technology that has Internet connectivity will be as prevalent and available to students as pencils and notebooks are right now. That way, teachers will continue to have control over when/how students use them. I say, let the laptops be made available to all students to take with them and to use in any classroom at the teacher's discretion.
Dr. Herring