Exploring Modern K-12 schools transforming from traditional to dynamic classrooms.

In this week's blog post, we will explore how modern K-12 schools are transforming traditional classrooms into dynamic, technology-enhanced learning environments that prepare students for the digital age while fostering creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking.

Traditional classrooms are set up with desks, pens, and paper. Students are expected to come in, have a seat, and begin their work. However, they are now starting to transform into a more technology-enhanced learning environment. For our school, most classes have a class set of 30 Chromebook carts per room unless you are a computer lab like mine. In which case, you have a lab of 30 machines. In addition to Chromebooks, our classes are starting to get flat panels as well to replace projectors. I think both are great ideas. While the one-to-one initiative is a great idea, students do not take care of their devices. I saw this in my previous school district, and I see it in my current Title 1 district. Introducing the flat panel into the room, I believe, opens the door for students to be able to go up and show their work, work on a problem in front of the class, or help focus the lesson to be student-centered rather than teacher-led.

The shift from teacher-centered to student-centered learning environments has become a big buzzword, as it should be. The traditional way of the teacher standing in the front lecturing has become a way of the past. One of the things we do in our video game design course is let students show their work by creating a video game using the knowledge they learned throughout the school year. They have to problem solve, collaborate with others or their teammate, and even research their game topic and design by giving students Choice, Ownership, and Voice, through Authentic learning. This is the basis and fundamentals of creating a student-led environment. 

Both learning experiences are necessary, and the balance is crucial. Too much digital learning means they won’t know how to behave during everyday social interactions, but too much hands-on learning means they won’t have the technological skills needed to keep up with today’s advances. Digital learning is fantastic. It speeds up learning and gives students access to information at their convenience. However, hands-on learning is also necessary to teach students engaging and societal norms (i.e. how to collaborate, deal with difficult situations, etc.). 

Students with different learning styles and abilities struggle with learning and comprehending; however, by utilizing technology, these students are able to learn, adapt, and grow at their own pace. There are tools such as text-to-speech that read the text to students. They can have this in-class support or during their exams. Some students might do better using PowerPoint than pen and paper. Google has translate for the EB students who might need extra language support. YouTube provides videos with graphics and step-by-step how-tos for visual learners. If the students don’t understand they are able to use closed captions, rewind, and change the playback speed to fit their learning needs. It is one of the things I teach in my classroom lessons at the beginning of the year is to set the expectation to utilize the technology to its full potential. It allows the lesson to be more interactive without the pressure of being intimidated to perform on the spot. It’s more low-stakes because they are not in a group setting and can work with technology one-to-one.