When I think of the year 2020 in ten years, I think there could be some major changes. Then I think back to 1999 and how everyone thought the year 2000 was going to have major computer problems, but they never really happened. Everyone believes things will change drastically in ten years, but I think there will only be minor changes, leading toward major changes in another ten years or so.
I think computers will continue to change the world and education. I think computers will be everywhere and more accessible in ten years. In every home, in cars, at work, in every school and every classroom, etc. Computers keep everyone connected with the push of a button. If you are not by your television to watch the news, no worries, you can find the news online with your computer no matter where you are located. If you want to talk to a friend, but have no phone, no worries, you can chat through Facebook, Myspace, or Skype. Computers will continue to keep us connected at any time and any location.
Since our world will be heavily influenced by computers, school districts will have new requirements when interviewing for all staff positions. Prerequisites for teaching will require technology skills. New staff will need to be able to use a computer and be knowledgeable about the applications that students will use. It will not only affect new staff, but other staff will have job description changes. Librarians may be more of computer technicians for the students. They will need to help students find all the information online. Principals and assistant principals will have to be able to understand how students are learning. They will need to make sure that students are succeeding and using the technology appropriately.
I think being a teacher in 2020 will be different from today’s teacher because every classroom will have at least some computers. Most classrooms will have a class set of computers for students to access the internet to connect with others. Teachers will be responsible to teacher students about the 21st century tools and responsible to make sure the students are using them everyday. Teachers and students will share their websites through social bookmarking sites like Del.icio.us. Teachers and students will be sharing their thoughts and knowledge through blogs. Students will collaborate with others through wikis. They will help teach each other by adding/editing others' wikis. In 2020 teachers will not standing up front lecturing, they will be on the sides, as facilitators.
I think the classroom of 2020 will start to change its appearance. Textbooks will be available online and students will not have to carry them around. Classrooms will start to become paperless. Students can no longer say they forgot their homework at school, everything will be accessible online. Students can access books, notebooks, videos, audios, anything that was discussed that day at home. Students may even have more contact with teachers in the evening. Teachers may set up times at time to communicate with their students through Facebook or Skype at night to answer any questions.
Teachers’ roles will change in classrooms where every student has a computer. Teachers will no longer have to take piles of papers home at night to grade. Students will no longer have to wait for the teacher to grade their tests and wonder how they did. Students will complete work on the computer. The work will be sent to the teacher’s computer, where s/he will diagnose it and then send back specific practice for each individual student. This will create Individualized Educational Plans for all students, not just special education students.
Since education will rely heavily on computers, the world will also rely heavily on computers. Students will need to learn and be able to use computers when they enter the work force. Most jobs will have computer skill requirements. No longer will companies have to travel to another country to meet with other staff. They will sit in a conference room and meet through video conferencing. All employees located in different areas for the same business can communicate easier and faster.
Not only will businesses communicate through video conferences, but I can see more high schools being taught online. I teach elementary school and believe it still might be hard to teach the basics through a computer, so I think only high school will be ready to learn online by 2020. High school students have had many years to perfect the use of computers and their applications. Money will always be a problem and a need. If high school students are able to learn through online classes, this will leave them more time to get a job and earn money.
I can see elementary schools communicating to other students around the world through Skype, blogs, or maybe Facebook. Students no longer have to be penpals through snail mail. They can talk to a friend around the world and share their thoughts, then only have to wait on the time zone difference to hear their response. Students will also have more opportunities to visit places online that they are unable to visit in person.
My uses of the 21st century technologies and making my students proficient in using them, will prepare my students for being a good citizen in the world. I can see some minor changes in the world and classroom in ten years. Many roles may change slightly. I think these changes will help prepare our students for their future outside of the classroom.
I can see why you predicted small changes for 2020, based on the computer chaos of 1999. I think it may be bigger than we think. The growth of technology was just beginning to take off in the late 90’s and exploded shortly thereafter. I think we may have to look at the last three years and how the web has taken a face lift; becoming almost unrecognizable to the face it wore in 1999. I do agree that the teacher’s role will take a different stance. I think all grade levels could be online; even elementary. There are currently a few K-12 Cyber Schools with outside curriculum activities that are stable. Cyber School is not that different from traditional homeschooling and there are elementary students who are homeschooled. I also agree that the networking of corporation as it relates to global affairs will change for the better with the advancement of technology. Thanks for sharing,
ReplyDeleteKristie,
ReplyDeleteI like how you address the issue of technological literacy. It is a misconception of many adults that our technology native students are very adept at using computers. Our students usually come into our courses with good computer skills in terms of for what they specifically use the computer. We need to expand their skill set so that they can use the computer to its full potential. This of course will require technologically literate educators. So, I agree, teacher preparation will need to change.
Kristie,
ReplyDeleteOur ideas are similar in many ways. I agree that teacher certification will change and that all students will have individualized education plans. I took a more radical approach and believe our entire educational model will change. Seeing the explosion of technology in the last decade, I think we're headed in a similar direction for the next 10 years, and it's going to directly impact the world of education. At the very least, it's going to take the traditional teaching approach and turn it upside-down; I think it's necessary so that our students will be able to compete with the globalization of our economy.