K-12 Could Be Changing in the Future – What Innovations Might Be On the Horizon?
Technology in the classroom is a given especially in the future. More and more schools now have technologically advanced teaching systems, and as the budgets right-size, and the economy recovers we will see more money going back into the classrooms. This is a good thing and most teachers of k-12 tell us it cannot come soon enough. Yes, something I think we can all agree upon.
Some say that No Child Left Behind has run its course and it’s time to give the control back to the teachers in the classroom, most teachers agree. Still others believe that certain thresholds, mile-markers, and tests are essential to maintaining a strong educational system, as no one wants kids graduating who cannot read or write.
Yes, that debate certainly will not be settled during this article or even in this decade I image. Nevertheless, the kids today are hyper-aware of technology, and carry it with them where ever they go.
Thus, there will be more interfacing with technology – smart phones and other devices in the classroom – it sure beats taking these devices from the kids when they won’t stay off of them in class. If you thought the advent of calculators changed the teaching of math in days gone by, well, think of this newest challenge as 10-fold, same basic problem, but ten-times the disruption. Indeed, another big complaint with teachers is attention span.
Therefore, education needs to be more entertaining to keep the kids’ attention, and this is where technology can play the biggest role through immersion, large display screens, interactive lessons, more group synergistic learning. Indeed, this would be a big relief for teachers, and the newer teachers are “all-in” when it comes to the use of technology in the classrooms.
Further, you can expect Artificial Intelligence, avatar teacher assistants, and digital homework computer help online. In fact, it’s already begun. We are entering a whole new area of digital sophistication in our schools. Please consider all this.
Additional References:
1. Learning and Leading with Technology Magazine article (in the Point/Counterpoint Section); “Is Technology Killing Critical Thinking Skills?” with Alfred Thomas (debating it’s not) and Helen Crompton (debating it is); August 2010 edition.
2. Forbes Magazine article; “What Educators Are Learning – Innovative Schools Collect Data, Look for Small Changes, Intervene Quickly, and Move Resources to the Formulas that Work,” by Daniel Fisher, published on June 7, 2010.
3. Desert Sun Newspaper article; “Child Safety – A Fingerprint for a Bus Pass, Desert Schools May Test Biometric Bus Rider Tracking,” by Michelle Mitchell, October 2010.