The Connected Classroom….
Many of us grew up without a cell phone. We used a typewriter to write our college application essays. We had a limited selection of channels to watch on TV. The closest thing we had to a video game was Pac Man or Space Invaders. We relied entirely on books and encyclopedias for research. And we usually did one thing at a time.
Times have changed. Today’s students are multi-taskers. Their brains are wired differently than ours. They are “connected” all day long. They connect through their cell phones, their personal computers or laptops; they can chat with seven different friends at the same time. Their sense of belonging is directly related to the ability of being connected to something or someone - all the time.
If times have changed, and the way students communicate has changed, shouldn’t the way we teach change as well? Shouldn’t our classroom environment be different to accommodate to the needs of our students? At the American School, we are already taking the necessary steps in this direction. This year, 20 interactive boards or eBeam boards have been integrated into different classrooms in all divisions of the school. All teachers and staff have been trained in the use of this interactive tool, to ensure that they are being utilized in ways that will improve instruction and motivate our digital learners.
You can still teach Math with a piece of chalk and a blackboard, but why would you when you can show them graphic representations of a linear equation on an interactive board? You can show students maps in a book, but wouldn’t you rather learn about the beginnings of civilization by taking a virtual trip on Google Earth?
The connected classroom allows for students and teachers to be connected in an interactive way that makes learning more relevant and meaningful. Technology in and of itself does not replace learning, but with proper training and guidance, it allows teachers to engage students as they teach their curriculum, which results in improved academic progress.
The connected classroom translates into added student involvement and interest. At AST, we are always at the forefront of education, transforming the way we teach and the way students learn.
Anahi Vargas-Paredes
Curriculum Coordinator
