Thursday, October 22, 2009

21st century classroom

My impression of the 21st century classroom needs to have technology seamlessly available. Differentiated instruction is available in variable forms where students can choose the means that fits them best, be it technological or traditional. Having gone through the grades with the use of computers woven into their academic lives, they view these advances as their allies, without the phobias some of their elders feel. The concept of performing digital tasks is a natural form of expression for them and they are able to take advantage of a vast array of resources, creating professional projects that are beyond what could have been imagined 10-20 years age. Students are able to think of their teachers as not just those that stand in front of them in the class, but those resources to which they are electronically linked. Their classrooms and working groups may involve children from various parts of the world, allowing for a richness of dialogue across cultures. The students are able to communicate with other students whose lives are polar opposites and they are able to work together on projects. The struggles I have had with diigo, wikis, blogs, etc. are nonexistent for them and just as my children have embraced their electronic means of peer communication, that same comfort level will exist for other academic tools. Of course, to personalize this, not only will these students understand their technology well and be able to trouble shoot with ease, back up equipment will be readily available within their classrooms so they never have to feel paralyzed when their equipment fails. And of course, they have no need for technological support, because they "get it" and are able to help themselves.

1 comment:

  1. Shelley, how do your thoughts relate to the KIVA post?

    Dennis

    ReplyDelete