Time for Change

Many classrooms today look much as they did nearly a century ago. Although there are only a few factors which can assist in the reformation of the concept of school, technology is one of these factors. In terms of classroom management, teachers who take advantage of available technology. Technology allows for individualization, encourages collaboration and can be available any time, any place. Schools will not be confined to four walls, nine months and six hour days. Teachers need to be prepared to embrace the change.

Student learning will be more individualized. Lesson preparation will change to accommodate a wide variety of learning styles, abilities and interests. Traditional classes may no longer be necessary since learning can occur from any location at any time. Teachers will need to become accustomed to and proficient in a more diverse set of instructional strategies including using technology effectively in the classroom, and new technologies using distance learning opportunities.

Classroom Management

Classroom management in a technological environment is a complex issue. It involves consideration of available resources, student and teacher interactions, and even design and arrangement of the classroom. A lot of the available information describing these aspects of the educational process is anecdotal in nature and is reflective of more antiquated concepts.

The most common way for teachers to manage the standard record keeping tasks they perform daily is via traditional pencil and paper process. There are a few instructional sites out there that offer automated systems to assist teachers. These systems generally improve the tracking of student information, including performance outcomes. With this information teachers would be able to provide more personalized instruction thereby better meeting academic needs of all students.

When technology is introduced into classrooms, interactions between students and teachers change. Traditional classrooms are primarily teacher-centered and encourage little interaction between students. When technology is introduced into classrooms, student-to-student interactions increase and the classroom begins to change. Those accustomed to using technology as a tool to support learning have found their classrooms become more active and highly energized places where collaborative interactions and cooperative learning groups are common place.

As everyday activities change to assimilate available technology, many teachers find it necessary to alter their room arrangements. Classrooms organized into rows may be rearranged to accommodate group work and collaboration. In addition, school personnel often indicate that the traditional content, time structures and teaching assignments constrict the learning and teaching process. Many educators have lobbied for reform in these areas to enhance the learning environment. Using technology in the classroom seems to escalate the speed of these kinds of reforms.