Four Keys to Designing the Classroom of the Future

http://thejournal.com/research/2014/09/magazine_september/asset.aspx?tc=assetpg&returnkey=b98ODOifBsnw3ngUeJvpeEHUufMmfUhI

The author asserts that designing the classroom of the future is a challenge, mostly because no one knows what the future will look like. In 2007 when the first iPhone was released, and in 2010 when the first iPad was released, we could not have envisioned the profound effect this "new" technology would have on our classrooms. As soon as something new comes out, the old technology loses favor. One example discussed was the amount of money school districts spent on equipping classrooms with interactive whiteboards. They were the new technology of the time and were going to change education. Today, the classroom has not been changed by the IWB.  The whiteboard is used as a presentation board, or at most, a teacher-led interactive whiteboard.

The first key to designing the classroom of the future is to create collaborative spaces. That means creating flexible seating which allows for easy transitions. In addition, the seating spaces need access to outlets and usb ports for charging students' multiple devices. One school has even outfitted it's classrooms with the charging towers similar to the ones used in airports. The key is to keep flexibility the top priority in any design. Today's usb ports may be some other port standard in the future.

Students also need a place to display information for small groups. Seating stations may have their own interactive whiteboard, projector, or some technology that hasn't been invented, yet. There are projector tables which can be used with Windows 8's touchscreen features which allows students to move things around on the "table." Once students have created something with their devices, they will need cloud access and storage which means more bandwidth, and leads to the second key, connectivity.

While the new trend is student-centered classrooms, the physical characteristics of classrooms haven't changed as quickly as the educational trends. Many older buildings have brick or concrete walls which wifi signals can't penetrate. Some schools have gone as far as removing every wall that is not load-bearing.

Third, and to me the most important, is coaching teachers in the integration of technology. To Erin Klein, a second grade teacher and technology consultant/designer, that means full-time employees to coach teachers, and at least one per building. Teachers can't be given an app or a website and expected to use it without follow-up coaching. 

Lastly, technology must never come before the curriculum. According to Klein, the classroom of the future is only worth creating if it supports the fundamental mission of teaching students.  The design and layout of the space must support the curriculum before making decisions about what type of infrastructure and devices are needed to enhance the curriculum.

I especially agree with the idea that for the classroom of the future to be effective, there has to be a technology coach available to help teachers use the technology in the classroom. I have sat through so much technology professional development, but there has never been any follow-up training or accountability. The coach needs to work with teachers to train them on the use of the tool or device, but also be available afterwards to answer questions and for follow-up training.