Topic > The Classroom of the Future - 1949

When we look at our society today, there is no doubt that our education system is going through another revolution. Technology has advanced to the point where information is widely accessible, and its convenience has established new means of independent learning. Students are capable of learning from an infinitely infinite resource, and now schools are facing a competitor in the distribution of knowledge. Now, as schools attempt to integrate technology into the classroom environment, challenges arise in defining the next generation of classrooms. Through our Alternative Worlds class, we have attempted to integrate technology into the classroom with both success and disappointment. However, while technology offers a great resource for education, there are some caveats that need to be addressed prior to its assimilation into the classroom. When discussing the future of education, it is important to identify what elements differentiate a future classroom from a traditional one. The main difference between the two is in the way content is delivered. Instead of displaying content solely on whiteboards, future education embraces technology in presentation. Technological advances allow many mediums to convey information and therefore content can be presented via power point, video presentations and interactive websites. Beyond presentation, the future of education embraces a new medium of communication. Students will no longer have to meet face-to-face with professors and colleagues, but will be able to communicate via email and discussion forums. Access to content is also different. In traditional educational contexts, knowledge was transferable only through physical encounters. Now, with modern technology, students can watch recordings of a seminar and take the lead… middle of the paper… the tool becomes unused because students are unable to connect the dots. When considering Macaulay Honors College classes, there is a huge emphasis on technology and the use of online resources, yet its classes are successful because students are able to apply this knowledge to their research projects. Teaching a course about technology alone might not be an approach, but teaching how to use it might be. In conclusion, there is overwhelming evidence to show that technology is pushing education through another revolution. With the Internet as a resource new questions arise about how to use this tool. As mentioned in Joseph Ugoretz's article "Three Stars and a Chili Pepper: Social Software, Folksonomy, and User Reviews in the University Context", we should treat technology as a tool and learn to use it, rather than forcing it into our traditional ways of learning..