Learning spaces and the personal learning environments

Evaluating the use of technology in a classroom environment is not something most administrators

are trained to do. It is easy to walk into a classroom and see that every student is using a

computer, but how do you really assess if and what type of learning is taking place?
 I am not advocating that every lesson should use technology or that every lesson should try to

answer “New things in New ways”. However, it is good to know just how the technology is being

used. There is nothing wrong with only using an LCD projector, or Google Earth to visit a battle

site. I get excited when I see both of those things happening in a classroom. I just think it is

good to put it into perspective just what impact the technology is having on teaching and

learning. If a teacher is only ever ‘dabbling’ or doing ‘Old things in Old ways’ then a

conversation can start about how to move the use of technology to a deeper more meaningful level

within the classroom.
It is great to see teachers using technology in their lessons during an evaluation. It is even

more informative if you can evaluate at what level that technology is effecting learning. Is it a

replacement for the way we do things or is it something completely new and pushes both the

students and teacher to new heights, new learning, and new knowledge?

Recently, a number of our schools (a very small number) have entered the stage of doing other old

things in new ways. Now, it begins to get a little more interesting.

"I used to have to tell my students about phenomena, or have them read; now I can explain to them

practically. When we begin adding digital demonstrations through video and Flash animation, we

are giving students new, better ways to get information.

As education moves well into the 21st century, the ways in which we learn and the things we use

to learn with, including technology, are constantly changing and evolving. One of the most far-

reaching changes is the easy and increasingly inexpensive access to information technology.

Personalized Learning Environments and Technology

There are many advantages of using PLEs in teaching but two of the most important are students

gaining the ability to use Web technologies and the using of personalized learning environments

to peak student interest.
The 21st century is challenging old notions of learning spaces.

The idea that students must be seated at desks working in rows is quickly becoming archaic.

Technology and collaborative work environments are changing the design of learning spaces.

The classroom is a vehicle for getting students from where they are when they enter the

schoolhouse door to where they need to be an academic year later. Ideally, we all would like to

see at least one year of progress for one year of seat time.

In talking about classroom management and student achievement, it may help to think of the

teacher as the driver of the car who needs to respond to the passengers' needs in order to ensure

that they reach their destination.