Reflective Blog- Module 6

What does a technology infused classroom look like?

There is not one clear answer to this question.  But here are some ideas. 


Microsoft Builds Technology infused school in W. Philadelphia.
West Philadelphia builds a technology infused school with the help of the Microsoft corporation.  The school emphasizes problem-solving and research.  The classrooms are non-traditional.  Each student has their own lap top so classes are mobile and help in different spots in the building.  Students use electronic cards to sign in for attendance, open their lockers, and view total calories on their lunch when they purchase it.  The culture of the school is modeled after the corporate culture of success where results matter.  Teachers and students have access to whiteboards.  Bill Gates believes are current schools are "obsolete" and this new model meets the needs of 21st century learners.

To learn more about this initiative please view the above video.


Learn Space:  Classroom of the Future
 A program called Learn Space offered their idea of the classroom of the future in a TES Exhibition in Olympia.  Their model emphasized learning stations with technology infused.  There was a station where students could collaborate inside and outside of the classroom using technology.  The investigate station offered an updated lab for experiments that included features like a document reader and technology to create real time graphs of data.  The art stations allowed for hands on artwork or the option of using a white board to electronically generate artwork.  At the create station students could use hand-held devices and computers to be productive.  Overall, the idea is that the classroom of the future will need to allow for diversity, adaptability, flexibility, and comfortability.  To view this classroom watch the following video

Students Fix Their Own Computers in Technology Infused Classrooms
In schools in Massachusetts, students participate in a program called "What's in the Box?".  This program shows students how to build computers and refurbish used computers.  The purpose of this program is to meet the need for workers with hands on technology skills in the future economy.  Similar programs to this in the Northwest part of the country exist.  One example is Students Recycling Used Technology.  For more details visit the following website:
http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech012.shtml 

What do Teachers want in their own Technology infused classroom?
A program called New Century Schools House by educator David Warlock allows teachers to build their own technology infused classroom. One example of  of a technology infused classroom created by an educator entitled "Millennium Cave" included holographic images on wall panels.  On the other hand, another example produced by educator focused on bring the outside world to the classroom.  The idea is to have a motor coach that has a docking station equipped with video editing software, video conferencing options, wireless printing, internet, and so on.  Parents, students, and teachers could work from this station to show what was learned during field trips. To read an article about this topic visit:
lhttp://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech051.shtml

So what will my technology infused classroom look like?
 My classroom currently has a Promethean board (an interactive board).  This allows me to have interactive presentations.  For instance, the board comes with an interactive pen that allows us to write, highlight, and draw on presentations. Students love looking at primary documents and highlighting on the board.  The device also comes with individual hand-held  remotes that allow students to answer questions during lecture, take surveys and see polling results, and play games. 
My room also has three lap tops available for students to do research, search the web, or using microsoft word publishing features.  Sometimes I bring a COW (computers on wheel) from the media center and we have a full class set. 
I am currently writing a mini grant for my school district to get funds to pilot the use of kindles and ipads in my classroom.  Currently my school does not have access to these technology tools.  I would like kindles because my students will not use their books because they are simply too heavy and there are too many for them to carry around.  Kindles could help.  Lastly, i pads have so many features that could benefit my students.  I would like them to have i pads so I could directly give them assignments to do through i pads and save paper and reduce the amount of paper material they loose.