The classrooms of tomorrow need to look different from the way they look today. There are some fantastic tools available for educators to purchase but the true innovation lies in creating these environments with what you have. There are many suggestions for how to make this happen, but I will outline the six that I highlight. This element of a future ready classroom is one that ties into all other elements. Educators need to be ready for anything at anytime. The backbone of this element is to create an environment that is not set in stone. Here is how you can start.
This is a hard pill to swallow for many people. They say that its too hard to do, it takes too much time. These excused lead to frustration, and a fall back into previous routines. Showcasing, and implementing a differentiated classroom is easier than you think you just need to keep one word in mind, choice. Providing choices to your students allows them to make decisions that you typically made for them. Here are three quick and easy suggestions to get started with.
Collaboration Our world today is closer that it has ever been. Technology puts resources at our fingertips that no other generation has ever had before. The students of today are fantastic at using technology to communicate, and network with each other. They are constantly checking in on social networks, text messages, and possibly the occasional phone call. Schools need to reflect the environment that students leave to. Without taking advantage of this, we lose interest, engagement, and many possible learning opportunities. So what steps do you need to take to create this kind of classroom?
Todays students cannot leave our educational facilities without being able to think critically, and solve problems. Creating students who are vending machines will only destroy the economy that we have worked to build. ![]() The US economy is showing two trends in our world.
This goes without being said that your students need to be at the center of your classroom. Their interests, bias’s, and personalities need to be reflected in the work they are assigned and produce. The graphic below shows how engagement drops over the course of time that students are in school. These statistics are not solely due to classrooms not being student focused, however it may have an impact. Student focused classrooms tie in many elements from above, but the key here is the role that a teacher plays. Teachers need to step off the stage and become a co-learner with their students. Students need to know that there will be times that even you, the teacher, does not know something. Show them how to interact as a team member, and model the correct channels of learning for them so they are able to replicate this on their own. Fostering the learning process in this way puts power in your students hands. Data Driven Data is the single, most important element of sound curriculum implementation. Knowing where students are at during the units you are teaching informed you of needed interventions, material that is mastered, and the opportune time for summative evaluation. These elements are not easy to do, but are certainly not impossible. Here are three easy kick off points.
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