The Future Classroom

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When we look at our society today, there is no doubt that our education system is undergoing another revolution. Technology has advanced to the point where it has made information widely accessible, and its convenience has established new means of independent learning. Students are able to learn from a seamlessly infinite resource, and now schools face a competitor in the distribution of knowledge. Now as schools attempt to integrate technology into the school environment, there are challenges in defining the next generation of classrooms. Through our Alternate Worlds class, we have attempted to integrate technology into the class with both success and disappointment. However, though technology provides a great resource for education, there are caveats that must be addressed before its assimilation into the classroom.

In discussing the future of education, it is important to identify what elements differentiate a future classroom from a traditional one. The main difference between the two is in how content is provided. Instead of displaying content solely on blackboards, future education embraces technology in presentation. Advances in technology allow for many mediums to convey information, and so content can be presented through power points, video presentations, and interactive websites. In addition to presentation, the future of education embraces a new medium for communication. Student’s no longer have to meet one on one with professors and peers but can communicate through email and discussion boards. Access to content is also different. In traditional education settings, knowledge was transferable only through physical meetings. Now with modern technologies, students can watch recordings of a seminar and take initiative...

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... the tool becomes unused because students are unable to connect the dots. When considering the Macaulay Honors College classes, there is a huge emphasis on technology and using online resources, however its lessons are successful because students are able to apply this knowledge to their research projects. Teaching a course on technology on its own may not be an approach but teaching how to use it may be.

In conclusion, there is overwhelming evidence to show that technology is pushing education through another revolution. With the Internet as a resource there becomes new questions on how to use this tool. As mentioned in Joseph Ugoretz’s article “Three Stars and a Chili Pepper: Social Software, Folksonomy, and User Reviews in the College Context” we should treat technology as a tool and learn to use it, rather than forcing it onto our traditional ways of learning.

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