Learning Environments

1. Hopefully there are not many of these anymore, but even in a One Computer Classroom a teacher can use technology to engage, enrich, and empower learning in their classroom. The teacher has to do more of the technology integration "heavy lifting" and most activities will have to be done a whole class. Modeling the use of technology and aspects of Digital Citizenship are important in this learning environment. Scheduling groups of students to use the one computer and creating graphic organizers for students to develop content prior to using the technology are key. Teachers in this type of learning environment should consider BYOD or Bring Your Own Device strategies. Students or groups of students can use programs like Poll Everywhere to provide the teacher with digital data to focus instruction. Teachers in this learning environment should focus on the technology providing visual learning for the students and should at the very least have some kind of LCD projector or TV interface. Video streaming services could be used to deliver content through the segmented viewing of videos.

2. Teachers with access to a bank of computers in a computer lab or their classroom need to establish schedules and routines for accessing technology. Their instruction needs to move from whole group technology modeling to small group or individual tech access. Often, software or web-based programs are used that adapt to a students learning level, or that track students progress through reading or math performance. This type of plug-and-play technology is useful in this type of learning environment because it allows the teacher to focus on individual or small groups of students while others are working independently with technology.

3. One Computer Classroom

4. Computer Stations/Computer Lab

5. Teachers within a 1:1 Learning Environment can utilize technology to make their instruction more student-centered. Blended or Flipped Learning can be implemented so that the content delivery is captured and published by the teacher using digital tools. The teacher can have the students take assessments on new content and use a data dashboard to focus instruction. A digital workflow can be established that allows the teacher to monitor progress on projects and assignments and provide comments/feedback to the students. Teachers in a 1:1 Learning Environment need to think critically about when students shouldn't be using technology in a 1:1 setting and when it is best to put the computers away for learning.

6. 1:1 Classroom