NZ taking lead in classrooms of the future

TV NZ had a news clip on recently about classrooms of the future which is well worth watching.

Classrooms without pens and paper, and lessons given online, could soon be the classrooms of the future. This is already starting in some NZ schools.

A Ministry of Education pilot programme at Howick College has allowed students to use their cellphones in the classroom.

This style, called mobile learning, was moving the learning out of the classroom and into the family and community. Teaching and learning is no longer confined to the classroom but is also outside the four walls. Many classrooms have their own blogs and wikis.

E-portfolios

We have been using e-portfolios with our students as part of their first year programme. These are to be continued throughout their training and hopefully beyond. I have made a small video to explain about the stages of the portfolio process and how the technology can enhance a portfolio - i.e. e-portfolio.

E-portfolios are being used in many New Zealand schools so it is important that our students understand them for when they are teaching themselves. We are using Mahara which has been developed here in New Zealand.

It is interesting that Mahara and other LMS are for private use or just with a small community of peers for example. I really like the way some children in Auckland used wikis and blogs to make their e-portfolios. Jess made this one back in 2008. You see some real value in her e-portfolio when you read all the comments that have been made. This is what other e-portfolios lack.

I have also made a Prezi about e-portfolios for anyone interested.

Lifelong learning in a digital age

Steve Wheeler has put a new presentation into SlideShare, it says it all. I find it so interesting that in tertiary institutions, where they are training people to be classroom teachers, they lecture to their students about these points but still in the old dreary mass lectures (where you see the students dozing off - some things don't change - or text messaging - the newer way to disengage). I wonder sometimes if these lecturers ever consider themselves to be good role models for their students?

I know that some teachers or lecturers are slowly changing but I wonder how long it will take before others do? Does money have anything to do with it?

Lifelong learning in a digital age

View more presentations from Steve Wheeler.