The Future Classroom concept brings about many changes. These changes are crucial if we want to make sure that we keep abreast with new concepts and technologies which are available in this day and age.
There are various implications which one must take note of in order to change the pedagogy used in the classroom . Apart from taking note of the physical environment in which we teach, “teachers need to change to embrace where children learn, what they learn and the tasks they undertake” (Files.eun.org, 2017).
- Technology gives a helping hand in teaching – Using technology, not for the sake of using it, but in order to help teach a concept or a skill, is what this is all about.
- Giving learners the opportunity to research on their own – Learners must be in control of their learning and use devices to become active participants in their learning experience.
- Using technology to gather feedback – Feedback of what the learners have learnt during the session can also be given through different digital devices and not ONLY through the use of copybooks or worksheets. We need to move away from giving the learners only written tasks and move towards an environment in which evidence can be collected from other work.
- The seating arrangement needs to change – Having a classroom with rows of learners sitting behind each other is not conducive to collaboration or active learning. Even though this arrangement is practical when we want the learners to listen to us, this is not what we want all the time. There are times in which the learners must listen and absorb, but this should not be the majority of the time in class.
- Where the teacher stands makes a big difference – A teacher who wants to communicate with his/her learners does not sit or stand at the front of the class, but moves around and engages the learners in conversation.
- Preparing activities which enhance collaborative work – Learners should not be expected to know how to work in a group. They should be trained. This can only be done with the help of activities prepared beforehand by the teacher in which the learners are given the skills needed to collaborate.
- Learning beyond the school – What is crucial is that the learners are given tasks in which they learn useful skills which for everyday life beyond school. 21st century skills are very important and the learners should be given opportunities to gain them.
All these changes will only occur effectively if “teachers … rethink their current practice and consider how they can maximise the potential of their students” (Files.eun.org, 2017)
Reference:
Files.eun.org. (2017). [online] Available at: http://files.eun.org/fcl/Learning_spaces_guidelines_Final.pdf [Accessed 28 Feb. 2019].
Elaine's Thoughts 