In an article I recently read titled "14 Things that are Obsolete in 21st Century Schools" by Ingvi Omarsson of Iceland, you will find the title of this post quoted by Tony Wagner, author of The Global Achievement Gap. He is referring to one of the 14 things, more specifically, isolated classrooms. As of the present, I have to disagree with this based on my own current situation as parents are not continuously invited into classrooms on a regular basis. I see this especially as students get older and teachers do not find as many opportunities for classroom volunteers, etc. The rooms seem to say stay away to guests, but there is another meaning involved. It could be saying "stay away" to new ideas, technology, and growth.
I agree with Omarsson that the 21st century isolated classroom will be obsolete with the way that technology has evolved and found ways to open our windows and doors to the world around us. With the technology that is available to us today, teachers can take students on virtual field trips around the world, interview authors and scientists that live on the other side of the country, and communicate in new and faster ways with students in other classroom settings. We are not isolating ourselves. Classrooms and curriculum are improving.
The fact that the isolated classroom could become obsolete in the 21st century is on track for motivation and engaging learners in present day classrooms. It promotes the ARCS Motivational Model by John M. Keller that explains how motivation can be increased if teachers provide a learning environment: that captures student Attention, where learning is Relevant, that develops Confidence and that provides opportunities for Success.
Omarsson obviously goes on to list 13 other items that will be obsolete including #3 Schools that Don't Have WiFi (agreed!), #11 Traditional Libraries (which I agree and it makes me dreadfully upset), and #9 Starting School on/after 8am for Teenagers (disagree, it is too inconvenient for parent schedules and educational budgets). The biggest reason as to why many of the items on this list will not be obsolete tend to do with money...what a let down!
Omarsson, I. (2014, February 26). 14 things that are obsolete in 21st century schools. Retrieved on August 28, 2014, from http://ingvihrannar.com/14-things-that-are-obsolete-in-21st-century-schools/ .
Isolation is the enemy of improvement. Thriving organizations see collaboration as a necessary part of what they do. They collaborate and study continuously how it can be done more effectively. Collaboration strategies must in a deliberate way in schools. Teachers should collaborate to create more effective, meaningful lessons. They should also be models for students on how to collaborate well with colleagues.
ReplyDeleteStudents have a unique opportunity to access other students around the globe in real-time. Educator must capitalize on this to allow American on this to allow students to become competitive in a "flat world". Imagine the possibility of teaching languages or social studies in collaboration with students from around the world.
Tamara you hit on a great topic: collaboration. This has been a big word for me this past year, especially in our use of technology in the classroom. My students have been collaborating to create projects in small groups on their iPads. We have also completed a few Mystery Skypes where we pair up with another classroom in the world and guess where each other is using yes or no questions.
DeleteWe are opening our classrooms to a lot more opportunities these days thanks to technology. This can lead to many great opportunities for our students and as you mentioned, it will help them in their future careers.
Kelly