First, my thoughts of computing in the future classroom may be idealstic and narrow-minded based upon the district I am lucky enough to teach in and the emphasis our district places on technology. I'd also like to pretend that school funding is not an issue that affects what our students have access to. That being said...
Classrooms of the future will put technology more readily in the hands our students--whether it be mini computers for each student or computer stations in every classroom. Students may have access to handheld learning tools such as a TeacherMate. These types of tools and access will allow teachers to differentiate in response to students' needs and readiness and track progress. More teachers will daily use free and/or cheap technology tools to enhance their students' learning. Tools that some of us are using now like Google docs and Clickers, for example, will become the NORM in our classrooms. To meet the changing needs of our students we will be forced to use technology more frequently to keep our curriculum rigorous and relevant. I think i-Pods will become a useful tool in more classrooms allowing multiple students to hook up and listen to stories/books or to listen to/watch podcasts of classes they were absent for or simply need to access again to enhance understanding. (For those interested in i-Pods in the classroom, visit this blog which links you to the iLearn Spring 2009 issue which if chock full of ideas for i-Pods in the classroom.) Students will use their cell phones as learning tools to provide answers for classroom exercises. Social bookmarking sites will be set up so students can share great sites with each other. What is now being experimented with and used by some will be used by all and be the norm. I also think classrooms of the future will be wireless allowing tables to be rearranged to meet collaborative needs.
In my classroom, the use of Google docs will allow students to collaborate with each other more effectively and efficiently. I will also be a more effective instructor as students won't have to wait in physical lines to conference with me. I can access their documents and provide "live" feedback meeting the needs students have for instant gratification. With access to classroom technology students will be able to conference and talk with students and classrooms from around the globe. I will use next to no paper as everything we do in the classroom can be on-line. Students who are absent will be able to access classwork from home. Those that are home-bound can easily join the classroom. Book groups will be held on-line and in school to give access to those who don't have transportation home after the group's meeting. With the use of Google docs, students' work will be readily accessible from any computer for assessment and suggestions. Students working in groups will be able to work together without being in the same home or library. My role as teacher will change to one of less as a giver of information but more of one as guide on the side. Students will do more critical thinking as I will be less in front of the classroom as students work to construct their own knowledge through investigation and question asking.
I wonder when I will familiarize myself with everything I need to know to be able to share with my students all they need to know and have a right to have access to in the classroom?
To prepare my students for this future, I need to model using the technology I have available now. For instance, I shared Google docs with my students and I could feel the excitement. And this was not them using them but simply securing a basic understanding of what they are. When using technology, I need to model skills that lead to effective use of the technology. I need to afford students opportunities to explore technology, such as "play" with a SmartBoard to see what it can do. We can use a social bookmarking site to bookmark sites useful to our spring research, thus creating a collaborative learning community. I can stay in touch with the (future) technology world by checking out sites such as Gizmodo. I will also share what I learn in this Master's program that is relevant to them as learners. Students should see that I am a learner too.
