Technology Changing Traditional Classrooms

When technology was first introduced into schools, lessons were centered around teaching students how to use technology.

Information technology classes taught students how to use Microsoft Word and Excel. To some extent, they still do.

As time moved forward, technologies that changed the way students learned and teachers taught emerged. These included learning management systems in which online quizzes were an option and other software that allowed more ways for a student to engage with content. Technology moved existing offline procedures in the classroom onto platforms which were more efficient. Online submissions of offline assignments are an example.

This moved technology into a role that enabled student centered learning, where assignments could be assigned based on the student. Technology classes slowly shifted to teach how technology worked and introduction to HTML started appearing as a unit in information technology classrooms.

The current generation of students grew up using technology in a social way. Many of them are used to sharing themselves online. Also, much of their learning is done using technology as a medium. This could be an eBook, an online course, or a search on Baidu or Google.

In reference to the ISTE standards, this necessitates a third shift in how technology is used in classroom. Technology can now be used as a tool to drive learning. This is the shift from student centered learning to student driven learning.

With the internet at their disposal, technology isn't used anymore to make old learning processes more efficient, it is now used to learn. Teachers should now be teaching students how to use the internet as a tool to learn, and classes should now be taught keeping in mind the fact that the internet, not the teacher, is the repository of knowledge.

With this in mind, what becomes of the teacher's job if they are no longer needed in the presentation of new knowledge students can easily find online?

Perhaps this transition is what opens up room for teachers to teach essential life skills. Of course, teaching skills requires a skillful teacher. After all, you can't become a swimming coach by reading about it.