Acknowledging theTechnology Based Dynamic Within our Future Classrooms

September 11th, 2014:

For students like me who plan on becoming future educators, one of the biggest challenges I seem to face is how to grasp the emerging shift from previous teaching techniques to ones that are now technology – driven. Growing up in an extremely small town with a total number of 400 students attending my high school was very different than any inner – city community. There was one computer lab and a common library with approximately twenty computers available for the whole school. Needless to say, there were very little opportunities to use technology for assignments, tests, or projects within my classes. Our classroom involved the use of chalk and blackboards, projector screens, desks in row formation, textbooks, and pencils and paper as the necessary ways to complete tasks; it was basically unheard of to have a computer in every classroom. The focus was on standardizes tests and handwritten assignments.

Our classroom looked very much like this:

While most classrooms exhibit styles of learning like these:

 

            After leaving high school behind and starting on my university path it became evident that I must become familiar with the various forms of technology present in almost all of my classes. In my four years at Brock in hopes of completing my Bachelor of Physical Education in the I/S concurrent education program I have been introduced to numerous forms of technology which helps pose a picture of the types of learning styles integrated into classrooms now and in the future. I never owned my own laptop or an iPod until I entered my first year of university but this certainly changed after going into my first lecture where probably more than 80% of students were sitting with laptops and texting on their cell phones. Almost all professors’ forms of communication is either through email, school affiliated webpages, or some through social media including Facebook, Twitter, Notebook, and Skype; but what these all have in common is their reflection of our society becoming technologically advanced. Soon after it was in my first placement that I realized the classroom dynamic has changed significantly than when I had been in elementary school, or even high school (a matter of a couple of years). Desks were formulated in group styles, with smart boards, laptops, and iPads available in every room (one teacher even used a microphone with certain speakers placed appropriately for clear audio control). This as mentioned in lecture would be proof of the old story now shifting to the emerging new story approach.

It is clear that many programs and teachers are utilizing the pros of teaching with technology in their classroom to their advantage. As mentioned, classrooms are adapting new story practices involving project – based learning connected to real life. Some examples of this include: Lindley Sutherland’s school visions for native communities in order for the students to become engaged within the classroom about their community and holistic well – being with a focus on learning by doing and technology based. In addition, classrooms are able to skype or video chat from other schools around the world in order to get engaged with their learning. The province of Alberta is also currently re-designing their curriculum in order to allow a lot of the material taught in a technology – based way. Not only is this shift from old story to new story technology- embedded but it also illuminates student centered learning and passion – based approaches that allow students to become motivated to learn. Projects such as “Wild and Crazy Think for Yourself” allow students the opportunity to create their own knowledge and express something that suits best with them. I believe the more chances students have to become engaged and involved in something they are passionate about will continually motivate them to continue wanting to learn; which is GREAT!  

In addition, one of the greatest contributors to my own learning has been the iPad. The iPad has countless features that can be used to motivate students to learn including access to the internet which can allow students to gain information, using certain apps to practice skills or creating engaging collaborative assignments. I know that I will never go anywhere without my iPad as I may be addicted to its qualities, whether I need to send a quick email, using social media and the internet to prepare for class or collaborate with group members. While I was in a grade 5/6 classroom the teacher initiated “iPad time” which included forty minutes for every student to get out their iPad and play games that practiced subject skills like reading, math and more to engage the students in various subjects in a non – traditional and rather a fun and motivating manner.

This goes to show that our classrooms are progressing from the old story relying heavily on standardized tests, and teacher – directed learning, to the new story revolving around student centeredness and collaborative technological approaches. It is clear that when I was in school I learnt by the “old story” but now as a future educator I must switch my focus from how I learnt to the various teaching strategies presented in the upcoming “new story.” Technology is clearly marketed in schools today and as soon – to – be facilitators I must familiarize myself with these practices. The only critique I thought of after coming out of lecture was that I feel I have clearly been taught throughout almost all of my education (elementary, secondary and post – secondary) in the old story approach. Although I have done a couple group projects and assignments involving research, there are still many standardized tests and practices that do not allow for individuality, collaborative approaches, and more for final exams and individual grades. This being said, I hope in the future and throughout my education classes that I can put these new story approach styles into practice and become more familiar with these new techniques in order to prepare myself for going into my future classroom.