Rethinking Classroom Design

What's your favorite way to study at home? Many of us enjoy lying on the couch, stretched out on the floor, listening to music and/or reading while watching TV. If these are our favorite/best ways to learn then why is the modern classroom designed the way it is? Here is an article about rethinking modern classroom design. What would your classroom look like?

I See the Light

Watching the Thomas Friedman Discussion blew me away. The idea that 'we' should start thinking horizontally instead of vertically is going to rattle the fundamental core of our educational system. We can't go on teaching as usual. It's just not working anymore. I would love to see small local classes taught in a community center at flexible times throughout the year. Each learning environment connected to the next via Internet. The community school is in the community and supported by the community. Knowledge comes from the global/local community and gives back to the global/local community.

Student Blogs in the classroom

What about student blogs? I can see using blogs in a Language Arts class, but what about in an Art or Technology Education class. Perhaps students can use a blog to discuss project concerns or read an expert's blog to aid in a problem solving activity. How do your students use blogs in the classroom?

Several concerns come to mind when thinking about students using blogs including the following:

• Will technology be available and reliable when needing to blog?
• How does the teacher assess the blogging part of the activity?
• What's the most appropriate blend of private vs public venue to present a blog?
• Will I be able to keep up with the blogging management?
  

Private Vs Public Blogs

Private blogs offer a level of anonymity and control whereas public blogs provide global collaboration. Educators need to consider the specific needs/concerns of the audience/client to decide the best venue in which to publish and maintain a classroom blog. What online resources exist in aiding the roll-out of a new educational blog?

Welcome to my first blog entry!

Everybody has an idea what technology is... but what really is technology? Post a definition of technology to help us develop a common understanding.