My School of the Future
Living in a world that is so immersed in technology, I find it to be strange that most schools have not adapted themselves to the 21st century. I believe students should experience and learn with technology in order to get them adjusted to the outside world. If students do not familiarize themselves with modern technology, then they will be in for a huge shock when they get out into the real world. Almost everything incorporates some sort of technology these days, and technology has created demand for workers who provide a technological aspect to a job. Students who get a technology-driven curriculum in school will have a huge head start compared to students in a normal school.
The first thing I would like to see incorporated into schools would be every student having a laptop computer. If the school provides wireless internet access, students will have access to the whole world at their fingertips. Imagine listening to a lecture, and upon hearing some unfamiliar terms, you could perform a Google search while remaining at your desk. This erases the need to interrupt the teacher and ask a question. In fact, with the integration of laptops into classrooms, a lot more teaching would get done in a year. With access to the internet, there is no longer any real need to hand out text books at the beginning of the year. The teacher simply could find a website that applies to the lesson he is teaching, and he could tell the students to go to it. They could follow along or perhaps even do some online sample problems, depending on the website. Overall, laptop computers for every student would give the classroom more interactive appeal.
Another advantage of a school with advanced technology is that it saves money. Although the start-up costs are high with providing wireless internet access and laptops and altering the school to meet new needs, the school will eventually save a lot of money. For instance, the school would no longer need to buy textbooks because all of the information is available via the internet. Teachers could also give online tests and homework, obliterating the need for printing and copying which wastes paper. Finally, the need for computer labs would be gone, so it would free up space for more classrooms. The advantages are plentiful when it comes to incorporating technology into the classroom.
One Connecticut middle school has provided each of its students with laptops. No advantages or disadvantages have been seen yet, but I found the article to be very interesting. School 2.0 is a drawing of what a technologically advanced school looks like. I think that my School 2.0 would be a school with futuristic architecture. The classrooms would have projectors in them so the teacher would be able to project what is on his laptop up onto a screen. Then, every student would have a laptop computer of his own. Of course, the school would have wirless internet access. Technology is becoming more advanced everyday. Shouldn’t education be changing with it? I think it is inevitable that schools like School 2.0 will begin to spring up within the next 10 years.
Check this link out: http://thebassplayersblog.blogspot.com/2006/12/benefits-of-school-20.html.
Now blog about that.
I thought my blog and the Bass Player’s blog to be very similar. We both recognized the significant changes technology would bring to the classroom. We both acknowledged the idea of surfing the web during class and sharing information around the world. Because so many people feel that technology should enter the classroom, it is inevitable that School 2.0 will be a part of mainstream society. Check out this site for some interesting reason for bringing technology into school. http://www.ed.gov/pubs/EdReformStudies/EdTech/reasons.html
Your perspective on technology in schools is quite admirable. You are correct when you say that students will get a head start if they learn about technology at an earlier point in time. This allows them to learn about the technology they will be using in their careers. You idea of laptops in the classroom are incredible. The idea behind it would speed up learning and make it a lot more efficient. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8540381/ is an article that shows an Arizona school going all wireless with laptops. I think it will be great for the school and the advancement of learning. The start-up costs would be high, but the outcome would have endless possibilites.
John...Computers have become a necessary conduit to a wide array of information. And it’s how the computer is used that will allow your generation to develop the all important skills for jobs in the 21st century. Two of those most important skills - creativity and innovation - can be practiced and developed through the right uses of this technology. What have been your most powerful computing experiences where you were able to be creative and innovative?
Randy Ziegenfuss
John, reading your blog reinforces my conviction that the integration of technology into high quality learning environments must be a high priority for all school districts. Reading the blogs from this class illustrates this need perfctly. We will continue to work to make this a reality in all classrooms.
I have always recognized the value of technology, especially computers, in aiding learning. The ability to quickly search for information is priceless in a world where speed and accuracy are becoming more and more important in everyday tasks, whether in school or at work. Mr. Ziegenfuss, my most valuable computing experience definitely has to be working with various audio, video, and text programs on the 11th grade Integrated Project. I have really grown in my understanding of computer programs and functions over the past 6 months of 11th grade. Whether it be incorporating a video stream into a PowerPoint presentation or recording a myriad of sounds onto Audacity, I have come to realize the jobs computers allow people to complete with relative ease. And Ms. Beauchemin, I am excited to hear of the possible integration of technology into the classroom, and I am eagerly awaiting it.
John Gardus
Post a comment