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.
Thanks for posting this Dan. Good luck on the new school year. Would love to hear how the IdeaPaint wall is working for you.
Best,
Team IdeaPaint
talk2@ideapaint.com