So I’ve talked about it before, but I was selected to be a guinea pig for a new 21st century classroom.  I’ll be teaching two classes in this classroom: Geometry Regents, and Applied Math (second half of year is called Consumer Math).  The Applied/Consumer math will consist of mostly PBL (project based learning), while Geometry will have a project or two (don’t foresee it to be fitting perfectly).

Here is an update about what the classroom currently looks like, 2 days before school starts:

What is it all?

• ~25 Laptops, slightly more powerful than a netbook
• A new medium-sized smartboard (the large one is 2 years old)
• Ideapaint in the corner of the room (a large whiteboard)
• Smart Response clickers (personal response system)
• 2 computers at waist height for impromptu computing
• Clip-on microphone and speakers in the ceiling

What does it all mean?

I don’t know.  I’ve used a smartboard for 2 years, and laptops for 4.   Otherwise everything else is new, and I’m not sure how/if it will affect my instruction.  I’m most excited at the constant ability to access computers at my whim, and I’m a little terrified at the idea of the microphone (how can I swear under my breath now???!??).

The classroom, my instruction, my grading system, and my results are a work-in-progress. I’ll let you know how it goes

p.s. The hardest part of this whole process was essentially kicking out the person who had this room before. I had shared the room with him for the past 4 years, and it was his classroom.  They sadly had to paint over some great sayings he had painted on the walls, and he had to find a new room.

It wasn’t my choice, and having him booted just plain sucked.