Classroom of the Future

My vision for the classroom of the future, especially in the Montessori environment involves a lot of technology integration. It is a well-known fact that computers are shaping the face of modern classrooms today. It is amazing to see classrooms incorporating the use of technology into the curriculum. Teachers are becoming more “technologically-savvy” and are discovering new ways to use multimedia to help their students learn. Computers are only a part of what the future of classrooms will look like. Smart boards are becoming popular now in classrooms where their districts can afford to purchase one. In the near future, I can see each classroom having a Smart board as a requirement and not because a district can afford it.
Each student will have their own “school” laptop at each desk as to be able to store work, projects, files and assignments. Their classroom will have their own website and social networking page. Teachers will be able to send assignments through email and in my opinion this will cut down on using a lot of paper copies which will help save the environment. Audio and video conferencing will be available in the future as well so students can interact with other students from around the country or even the world.
Podcasts will be popular especially if a student was absent because of a sickness. Because the lesson was recorded, the student will be able to view a podcast so he/she can catch up with the lesson. This is also great for teachers so that they can review their lesson and see what needs to be modified.
Also, the classroom of the future will be well suited for students with disabilities and because of all the technology integrated into the classroom already, teachers will have no problem modifying lessons for these students.
Some schools already have some form of technology incorporated into their classrooms and we are already seeing a lot of new multimedia being implemented but in the future, there may be no more use for a chalkboard or whiteboard at all.