We can thank educators for this as they take cautious steps to
integrate technology into the classroom to ensure that students
maintain the collaborative spirit of traditional learning. Educators
are incorporating new approaches to learning through STEM
education, learner-center spaces, and incorporation of digital tools
where necessary; all while teachers are keeping up with the technology
Joneses.
W
hen you look around, you
will see the soft glow of light
beaming onto the faces of our
peers as they immerse themselves in their
smartphones, tablets and computers,
getting their news, updates from family
and friends, and staying connected. We
see technology seeping into every aspect
of our lives; our cars are equipped with
technology to connect to our smart
devices through Wi-Fi and “smart”
homes allow our phones to control
anything from thermostats to light
switches. Technology is an integral part
of almost all aspects of our lives, but as
we look toward one of the most ancient
traditions, it has seemingly stayed, for
the most part, traditional. As institutions
start to examine advancements in
technology in the classroom and new
approaches to learning, we are seeing
variations to classroom settings, an
uptick in digital learning, and teachers
keeping up with the ever-changing
educational landscape.
According to National Geographic,
it was 1635 when the first public high
school in the United States opened in
Boston—a room with desks and chairs in
neat rows and the teacher’s desk adorning
the front of the classroom. Since then,
we’ve seen blackboards transform to
whiteboards, and now to interactive
displays. Paper and pencils have been
erased by computers. Yet we haven’t
seen technology completely overhaul
the classroom. Teachers haven’t (yet)
been replaced by robots, and students
are still lugging home heavy textbooks.
18 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE | McKeesport Area
STEM EDUCATION
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, or STEM, is a
curriculum based on educating students in subjects that have been underserved
by graduating seniors entering the workforce in the past. Each of these fields
encompasses a vast number of disciplines under them, touching almost all aspects
of our lives. An increasing number of jobs are available each year in these fields and
there are schools opening across the country that are solely based on STEM learning.
There continues to be an increase in the number of students applying for admission,
so much so that public schools are now incorporating these types of courses into their
curriculum to keep up with student interests. Teachers are teaching their students with
an interdisciplinary approach based on real-world applications, allowing them the
opportunity to conduct research, connect with executives, and collaborate with their
peers.
A report done by InTech explains that “a successful STEM education provides
students with science, math and engineering/technology in sequences that build
upon each other and can be used with real-world applications.” The National Science
Foundation estimates that 80 percent of the jobs available during the next decade will
require math and science skills. By introducing new practices that are being used across
different industries, students are getting a firsthand look into what their future could
hold. STEM is still very new to educators, students and parents alike, but the impact
these four fields will have on our future proves to be important to all.
Another tactic educators are implementing to increase collaboration and engagement
is through the implementation of communal spaces. As teachers,
students and parents seek out upgrades to the traditional approach
of learning, inspiration comes from Silicon Valley, as communal
spaces have proved to allow for more than just collaborative
learning. According to the Social Development Theory, social
interaction and a sense of community play a critical role in
cognitive development. Providing students with a space
where they feel comfortable and free to express their
feelings also opens the door for shared learning.
DIGITAL LEARNING
Digital learning is a type of adaptive learning
facilitated by, or with the help of, technology. This is
done through the use of computers and tablets and can
be found in traditional classrooms, blended classrooms
or virtual learning classrooms. Students who once relied
solely on textbooks available at the library now have access
to resources and information that, prior to the internet,
were unattainable. With almost unlimited resources, teachers
and students have a new approach to learning. They have tools
that assist with research, videos that make learning more fun, and
access to a community of individuals (peers, leaders and the like) to
support their projects. Students are using tools such as Skype to tap into their network of
resources.