Week 6: The Technology Enriched Classroom

In a technology-rich classroom, every child is equipped with a Wi-Fi capable firewall-protected laptop. There are bluetooth-enabled peripherals, such as printers, scanners, and projectors. There are also hand held computers and every other possible technological advantage.
The Internet could be used not only for static research but for real time data. Envision a project with a real world connection or problem for students to attempt to solve. Now, imagine a project where the children can chat with experts in various fields or email their opinions to children in other countries, testing hypothesis online and sharing information with applications found in programs like Google Doc. They would then create PowerPoint or Prezi presentations from their research. They could beam drafts of information to their teacher for immediate feedback. They could create charts and graphs using Excel or Create-a-graph. They could enhance their writing, using the computer to take them through writing workshop and all the steps of the writing process. They could use Inspiration or Kidspiration to do their prewriting, and Word to do their drafting. They could then email or beam their information to their teacher for assistance with editing and revising. The teacher could communicate by adding comments to their work and sending it back to the student via email or beaming. Finally, the students could use Publisher to produce a final copy or use FrontPage to turn their work into a Web or classroom Blog page. There could be peer-to-peer conferencing without the students ever leaving their seats with applications like wallwisher and keepandshare, and that is just the beginning!!
One curriculum that promotes THIS type of educational experience is the New Tech model. Check out the New Tech Network website and learn how the classroom of the future is here!

New Tech Network
http://www.newtechnetwork.org/

Video:
http://www.newtechnetwork.org/node/71