IN Shaler Fall 2017 | Page 30

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 ador