My Version of School 2.0
If you ask ten students what their ideal School 2.0 is you will most likely receive ten different responses. In my world School 2.0, a school of the future, would be filled with a variety of resources and opportunities for students like myself. This future school would enable students to achieve wonderful accomplishments and learn of things they never dreamed possible. School 2.0 would be overflowing with technologies available to the students, but would also offer the more traditional resources to students who desired that instead. School 2.0 would create opportunities for those who wouldn’t usually have them, and would enable those who simply desire their diploma as their accomplishment in life to be the best they can be.
Sharing the visions of School 2.0 further the world’s knowledge of what students desire and feel they need in a school, and although not all schools will be able to deliver and change automatically, this will give them the ideas to work to and specifics to give their students to help them. I would like to see many things change in my school. Our community, as many are now, seems to have a definite division between those who have money and those who are lacking excess money. School seems to be where kids have the opportunity for a level playing field. My ideal School 2.0 would help to give those who have and those who do not have all the ultimate opportunities and experiences.
To create my ideal school I would be sure that:
- All children have access to a computer, the internet, and their own personal email address
- All children have note taking capabilities and a way to have their teacher’s lecture in print as well
- All children learn how to use the media of today’s society and can incorporate it into a variety of projects and assignments
- The “old” style of doing things is still preserved through traditional books, news papers, and all of the things we do in school now
The concept of all children being able to have access to a computer and the internet is not new. However, I would also want all of them to be able to have email addresses because so much of the internet is now protected by usernames and passwords and email information that not having an email address would limit so much of the available information to the student. Preferably, all students would also be able to receive a laptop or portable PC, as they have in the Microsoft-Designed School of the Future located in Philadelphia, as they enter the high school level as a minimum. By that point in a student’s career they are required to do much more advanced processes and projects that generally require more information and much more note-taking is also required. Having the computer for their individual use would allow them to become more efficient and well educated. I would also propose that students have the option to buy their computer from the school district upon their completion of high school at a depreciated cost. This would allow those whom otherwise may not have had the option of affording their own computer a chance to. For those people that would now be able to meet the expense of owning a computer and otherwise wouldn’t have, it opens many doors for education and simply being able to meet the speed of our world’s fast paced environment.
I think it would be amazing and unbelievably better if I had the ability to “re-play” the lectures of my teachers. One way to do this may simply be tape recorders being allowed in class rooms or as put forth in an article by Jenny Welp teachers could record their lectures and make them available through web casts. A third solution that I would find very interesting and helpful would be to take the computers given to the high school students and install the programs and microphones that will transcribe what the teacher is saying. These programs are currently being used by those who have trouble typing into their computers, and it allows them to simply speak what they wish to write and it is automatically entered into the computer.
Because of the heavy use of technology in many aspects of society, including the business world and daily life, it is essential that students be able to operate the technology and incorporate it into everything. Our class is currently learning many new technologies through our English program which many students had never even considered as a possibility for them. We’ve learned to blog, develop presentations, and web cast all in a matter of a few months. Although some students had never even heard of these types of technologies at the beginning of the year, I witness them constantly being used now that they have been discovered. This goes to show that once someone realizes they have the power to do something they will use it and perhaps even enjoy it.
Although technology is wonderful and quite helpful, some people are simply not comfortable with it. For this reason and the reason that there are still so many great things not assessable through the computer and the internet it is quite important that we don’t leave out the more traditional forms of education. Reading a brand new book sitting in the window sill may never be taken out of this world because you just don’t get the same feeling if you’re sitting there with a laptop an your lap reading an e-book. There are also many great works that can simply never be replicated through technology. Think of the first time you did a research paper, sure you probably used the computer and the internet, but you probably also looked in books and maybe even a few historical documents. Now think of those historical documents, they were probably kept in a special room in the library and when you walked in it probably had a different smell and the papers felt different in your hands. It’s those things that make it essential we don’t forget about traditional methods because those sensations can’t be replicated through technology, at least not yet.
You raise important concerns about maintaining comfort zones in the educational environment, providing alternatives. Think about what three improvements would make your academic experience better. What would you choose?
It would be a difficult decision to choose which three advancements I would like to see made the most. The first aspect I would change would be the supplies made available to the students. By changing supplies available, I would hope to help keep the idea of comfort in the classrooms and allowing each child to maximize their potential. For example, I would want to give children the opportunity to have their own textbooks to write, highlight, and takes notes in if desired. Also falling under this category would be to help make sure children are able to have the “typical” school supplies such as notebooks and writing utensils. I think I would also use school policies to change how teacher’s and students are able to learn from one another slightly. These changes would reflect themselves in small things such as students being able to have copies of the teacher’s lecture and/or lesson plans a couple days in advance to allow them to be more prepared and have more to reference. I referred to this in my original post and sighted examples of how teachers could do this. The final area I would change would be one of the key ideas I brought up earlier of students having access to “modern technologies” such as a computer with internet and email access. These three concepts are rather large undertakings on the part of school systems, but I believe that it would truly benefit the students and allow them to prosper.
Lindsay,
You have an interesting view of “the perfect school” that I’m sure many other students- including myself- agree with. For example, I think we truly see eye to eye when it comes to the traditional ways. I am one who likes to see the “old-fashioned” ways (ex: hardcopy articles, encyclopedia books, chalkboards) still be used and appreciated. …Maybe it’s just ‘cause it’s tradition. “Reading a brand new book sitting in the window sill may never be taken out of this world because you just don’t get the same feeling if you’re sitting there with a laptop an your lap reading an e-book.” …Another opinion of yours that I believe in. I just looked up an E book excerpt online to test it out. I didn’t get very far before concluding it doesn’t nearly have the same experience as a book with paper pages has. To me the experience is too plastic, dull, and kind of sad. Also, I liked the comment about the e-mail addresses (“However, I would also want all of them to be able to have email addresses because....”); it is very true and I think that would be a strong addition to most schools’ programs.
Even though I agree with most of your points, there are some points I partially disagree with, or I just need a little clarification. Two wishes of yours are that “all children have … a way to have their teacher’s lecture in print” and have “the ability to ‘re-play’ the lectures of my teachers.” While that is a good and smart idea, and I often think the same things, I also look at it realistically and think, “Some students would abuse that privilege.” I would be afraid that students would not pay attention in class while the lesson is being explained and not take their own notes, and instead rely on the lecture print-out or recording. It also makes the “student life/occupation” much easier, thereby losing much of the challenge. Oh, and just curious: why do you think schools should incorporate modern media in their learning? I enjoy analyzing media, but I was just wondering why you think it is important.
You have a good closing, too, which I think opens up new questions and material to daydream about. : )
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