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(yet) been replaced by robots, and students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 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
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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. Students are using
tools such as Skype to tap into their network of
resources.
Live streaming enables students to have face-
to-face contact with students, teachers, community
leaders and industry experts like never before.
Visualization is a proven tool for success, as teachers