The Future of Education - TT #12

The Horizon Report shares a glimpse of what the future relationship between education and technology might look like. The document discusses a creative classroom, one with innovative pedagogical practices including infrastructure, content and curriculum, assessment, learning practices, teaching practices, organization, leadership and values, and connectedness. It explains a variety of ways in which technology will influence future education and how we, as teachers, can make the process of integrating technology into the classroom more productive and beneficial for students. 

The document shares an ideal of a new hybrid learning model, one of both virtual and physical learning. This idea is supposed to encourage an active approach to learning. I think this idea is great for a classroom environment. Learning should be engaging, fun, active, student-driven, and interactive. Students need to gain skills that will help them succeed in their future years in the education system, as well as in their adult life. Isn't that the reason we have schools? To prepare the next generation for successful lives? Kids are not going to retain all of the information that they copied word for word off of a PowerPoint, but they will remember that time when they had to go into the community and take part in an inquiry-based research project of a business of their choice.

Students need to be engaged in education. To do this they need to understand how the information can be applicable to their personal lives. They need to connect to the learning on a personal level and make it their own. This is where technology and creativity can greatly benefit education. 

Today's student has grown up in a world where technology is everywhere you look. They know it inside and out, how to use the latest devices, what iPhone is coming out next, etc. They are comfortable with technology, it's something that they all use daily. What better way to create a bond between personal and school life than to connect it with technology! 

The future of education is undeniably going to be largely influenced by technology. I believe that as long as teachers can find appropriate ways to integrate technology into the classroom that is the most beneficial for students, we should welcome the future of education with open arms! 

http://www.oln.org/broadband-future-education/