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 Teachers haven’t (yet) been
replaced by robots, and students are still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. We can
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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.