My 21st Century Classroom

Classrooms of the 21^st Century

Vision of Technology Integration

           

When I imagine my future classroom I envision a child-centered, inviting, bright, technological and educational classroom.  My classroom will invite the students into a learning space where they will be encouraged to explore the world around them.  I want it to cater to every type of learner and accommodate everyone’s individual needs.  I believe one vital way that we need to do that is through technology integration.  Some technological tools I would love to have in my future classroom include; I-Pads, lap tops and Smart boards.  Each device will serve an individual purpose in the classroom, and will assimilate into the curriculum seamlessly. 

            One of the first technological tools I would like to have in my classroom includes a Smart Board.  I believe that every classroom should have one.  It is a very helpful tool in many different subjects from math to science to social studies it can aid and assist any lesson. Smart Boards allow for collaboration to occur in the classroom.  According to Hall and Nussbaum-Beach in the book; The Connected Educator “Collaboration occurs when we approach goals as connected learners, relying each other’s skills, knowledge, talents and readiness to share.” (Pg. 12, 2012)  I worked as a paraprofessional in a fourth grade classroom, where the teacher integrated the Smartboard in her lessons and it was used so well. I think that it is most helpful in the math arena.  The Smart board allows for teachers to use the interactive math programs on a large scale to really break things down to the students.  Everyone can also “write” and display their answers, just like on regular white boards.  It is an interactive way to present more difficult math materials. 

            Another reason I would love to have a Smart board in the classroom is for brain breaks. Technology doesn’t always mean sitting in front of a screen, when appropriate the Smart board can aide in getting the students up and moving. One thing I know about working with children now, is that they can’t sit still for long. Smart boards will allow me to bring up Go Noodle or other brain break websites and display it for the children to see and follow along with.  Whether they are wound up and rowdy or if they are lethargic and slow, there are different games and songs to cater to the individual class’s needs. Having a Smart board in my classroom will allow me to integrate technology flawlessly into my lessons. 

The second tool I would want in my future classroom would be lap top computers.  I believe that lap top computers should be in every classroom because, everyone needs to know how to do a research paper.  With I-Pads and tablets, you don’t get the experience with practicing your typing skills because you are using your finger or a stylus to do the writing.  A lap top computer would allow the students to do research and write the research paper, without all of the applications and games there to distract them.  I know for some students writing is very hard and I do not believe they should be graded according to legibility.  I believe that even though they may not be strong writers now they should have a chance to still express themselves. By having a computer to do so, would help the students who have a hard time writing research papers.   I believe that having a lap top computer for everyone in the class is very important when it comes to research and writing. 

The final technological tool I would like to have in my classroom would be iPads or Tablets.  Having these tools in my classroom would allow for additional educational tools to help instill information I will be teaching my students.  iPads can give the students resources like educational applications and games to help them learn information.   For example there is an app called Spelling city.  This app allows the teacher to put the classes spelling words into the class word bank and allows them to review their words using different methods to help them study.  I also think having iPads in the classroom would help students with disabilities.  Not every student is at grade level and having access to helpful and educational apps will assist students who are struggling in the classroom.  Students with more severe disabilities will benefit from having iPads and Tablets to help enhance their fine motor skills.  There are tons of apps out there that can help tune those skills. iPads can also be used during free time to explore the educational apps, brain pop, and other appropriate apps.  It can used as a reward for hard work, best of all using these educational apps makes it like they are not even learning. 

            Integrating technology in my future classroom will be beneficial to my students in every subject.  I want to make sure it is integrated seamlessly and not as a special activity.  It is a necessity in this century and I want to make sure my students are prepared to learn using tools that are relevant and helpful in their futures.

References:

Hall, Lani Ritter. "Chapter 1." The Connected Educator. By Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach. Bloomington: Solution Trees, 2012. 12. Print.