ePortfolios+and+Connected+Classrooms+(Ben)


 * Emerging tools: Connected Classrooms in the context of ePortfolios **

Children in NSW schools are using ‘Connected Classrooms Program’ technologies. (NSW DET 2011) This technology includes ‘interactive whiteboards, video conferencing, data collaboration, lesson creation software and web 2.0 tools’ Victoria has also been providing laptops and iPads to students, and many schools already have interactive whiteboards and projectors. The concept of connected classrooms means that students can connect with students from other schools, and outside ‘experts’ via videoconferencing facilities across the internet and Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP). They can use projectors to ‘beam up’ the outside world via a laptop and a wireless connection to the internet.

We have long since moved from the industrial age to the information age, and it is necessary for schools to move with the times. Students today need these tools to remain engaged and be able to control their own learning, within a guided framework. This will have positive outcomes for student learning, and can be measured by regular surveys of students to measure student engagement, and testing of literacy and numeracy standards in the school. In my eLearning environment, the school has a number of projectors, interactive whiteboards, teachers are equipped with laptops for use in the classroom, and students from year 7 and 8 have an iPad to use in their classes. I believe we have access to the tools necessary to use this concept.

The concept of connected classrooms still needs some work, and teachers need to be ‘sold’ the idea, on how it will help the learning of their students. It is not compatible with ‘teacher centred’ models of learning and teaching, and this paradigm must continue to shift to ‘student centred’ models of learning and teaching, if eLearning, and the concept of Connected Classrooms is to succeed.

NSW Department of Education - Connected Classroom resources []

NSW Department of Education and Training - Connected Classrooms Program Bulletin update June 2009 []