Creating the 21st - Century Classroom
By: Nancy Knowlton

People often talk about the classroom of the future as something nice to have but as not really attainable today. While we can never discount the affordability issue, the technology to create an engaging learning environment is available today; the classroom of the future concept no longer represents the reality. Today, much of the discussion around technology in education centers on the 21st-century classroom, which exists now and can make a remarkable difference in how teachers teach and learners learn.

The 21st-century classroom embeds technology into all aspects of teaching and learning. This concept is not about learning to use technology. It's about using technology to learn. In these environments, ICT (information and communication technology) becomes integral to the teaching and learning experience in the sense that it helps to define the very nature of the experience, which could not happen without it. Think, for example, of how the Internet is changing the nature of student research or how multimedia is being used to address multiple learning styles.

Sometimes, educators wonder if technology is being introduced simply for its own sake. There is admittedly a dizzying array of new and emerging technologies finding their way into the classroom. But the pedagogy supporting the 21st-century classroom concept has evolved along with the technology. When we look at both evolutions and how they interact to support 21st-century teaching and learning, the two are fairly well aligned in fundamental ways.

There is now a pretty standard selection of ICT that many people would agree is critical to the success of differentiated instruction and project-based or inquiry-based learning. With these tools, students are developing not simply digital literacy, which will prepare them for contemporary life after graduation, but also 21st-century learning and thinking skills.

This new learning environment also supports the development of skills that students will need to thrive in the world of work - problem-solving, collaboration, multi-tasking and lifelong learning. Putting ICT into the hands of a skilled educator who moves into a facilitative role can immediately put children firmly in control of their own learning as they collaborate, investigate, synthesize, analyze and present.

Of course, the learning curve for the full and effective integration of ICT is still relatively steep, and evaluating technology you may not understand can feel daunting. Luckily, the resources available to assist in this process are extensive today, and many manufacturers provide detailed and thoughtful information about their products and the context of their use in education.

Let's consider the typical components of a 21st-century classroom.

Interactive Whiteboard
The heart of a 21st-century classroom is the interactive whiteboard. It's the largest piece of technology in the classroom and the focal point for whole-class teaching and learning. A world of information is available at the touch of a finger, whether it's on the Internet or other digital resources. Interactive whiteboards are best wall-mounted, which provides more stability and fewer issues with cords.

Interactive Whiteboard Software
Another important consideration is the software that typically comes with interactive whiteboards. A substantial amount of utility is derived from this software, and the best vendors provide free, online upgrades. This option dramatically increases the useful life of the product because you always have access to the most up-to-date functionality as someone who purchases a new interactive whiteboard today. As well, there is never a financial decision to make about upgrades. You just download them and go. A number of manufacturers also provide free libraries of classroom-ready, teacher-prepared materials, which makes getting going with your new interactive whiteboard faster and easier.

Projector
It's wise to do your homework with regard to projectors - what might seem like a good deal simply in terms of price may lead to disappointing or unsatisfactory results. The biggest consideration is resolution. The most popular standard today is XGA (1024 x 768 pixels), which is the same as the XGA resolution of most computers today. Problems will occur if your computer and projector default to incompatible resolutions. For best effect, the projector should be permanently mounted in the ceiling. This ensures that the interactive whiteboard and projector are oriented and ready to go every day.

Student Computers
Whether it's one-to-one computing for the students or several computers available for students to share, the classroom isn't complete without computers for students to use. Student and teacher computers should have enough power to connect to the Internet and handle multimedia files. Many schools are also insisting that computers include wireless cards so students can connect to the network from anywhere in the school.

Audio System
For excellent quality sound, having an enhanced sound system is a must. Yes, most projectors come with built-in sound, but the location of the projector in the ceiling and the quality of the speakers may make them a less-than-ideal solution. Having an audio system for the teacher may not only prevent strained vocal chords, but it can eliminate some of the issues hard-of-hearing students may have that are sometimes wrongly chalked up to learning issues.

Student Response System
Student response, or voting, systems help teachers ensure all children have opportunities for input that can be quickly and easily assessed. These systems greatly enhance the teacher's ability to respond to assessed gaps in understanding both at an individual and group level, especially in larger classrooms.

Digital Content
Students learn in different ways. Some read and grasp a concept immediately. Others need some additional explanation from a teacher to help them get it. Still others need to learn from seeing a simulation or doing an experiment themselves. With a variety of digital resources available today, teachers have more opportunity to address the learning styles of more of their students.

On the resources side, a few simple guidelines and related Web sites help in making decisions that best meet your school's needs.

Budget
An important consideration when purchasing ICT is, of course, your budget. Money should be allocated for the purchase price of products under consideration, but also all related short-term and long-term costs, which can add substantially to a product's total cost of ownership (TCO).

A study by the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), www.classroomtco.cosn.org, offers a budget checklist for TCO that includes the guidelines on evaluating the following:

* Retrofitting and additional hardware
* Professional development
* Software
* Technical support
* Replacement costs and durability

Smart Shopping
Any large purchase needs to be considered with appropriate rigor, so it's important to speak with others in your school system about their technology purchases, to understand your purchasing and bidding systems, and to gather product information from vendors under consideration. If you feel really overwhelmed, you may want to consider hiring a consultant, but if you do, make sure he or she has no ties to a particular vendor, or there will be a conflict of interest.

Evaluation Considerations
Beyond TCO, there are several factors to consider when deciding between various brands of products:

* Is the product easy to start using? If it's not, then no matter what you pay, it's too much.
* As teachers and students get comfortable with the product, is there more to it than just the basic features that made it easy to use? Some teachers will move quickly through the basics and look for more advanced features and functions.
* Is the product reliable? Is it backed by a warranty that expresses the manufacturer's confidence?
* Are there regular upgrades to the software?
* Will the various providers (either parties that resell or make the product) participate in a shoot-out to allow you to make a side-by-side comparison?

Requests for Proposals (RFPs)
Many schools and districts are governed by regulations that outline competitive bidding processes and how to manage RFPs. If you decide to issue an RFP, check with your school or district administrators to ensure you are following the proper guidelines.

The flood of ICT into education systems around the world today represents a dramatic shift in thinking about how we teach and learn. We are moving into a period where firsthand experience takes precedence over pre-digested experience, where knowledge is shared much more freely and widely, and where achievement is measured by results gained within defined contexts rather than by test scores and essays. It is an exciting time to be in education and thinking about the 21st-century classroom concept - a model of pedagogy that is truly inclusive, challenging and rewarding for students and teachers alike.

Nancy Knowlton is the chief executive officer of SMART Technologies Inc., www.smarttech.com, a leading supplier of interactive whiteboards.

Product Roundup

EverWhite Dry Erase Boards
Schools can update classrooms with an EverWhite dry erase board. EverWhite boards stay clean and bright, thus enhancing the look of the space. EverWhite dry erase boards feature a unique hardcoat surface that does not allow marker ink to absorb into the surface. EverWhite boards will not ghost, stain or gray. They are easy to clean-even permanent marker can be easily erased.
www.everproducts.com

Aarco Products
Aarco manufactures a complete line of architectural quality chalkboards, marker boards, tack boards and display cabinets. Realizing that schools cannot afford to replace inexpensive products on a regular basis, Aarco specializes in high-quality units designed to last the life of the building. Whether schools need marker boards, with heavy-duty trim and marker trays, or outdoor display units to withstand the elements, Aarco Products makes something to fit the needs of individual schools.
www.aarcoproducts.com

Buhl 9013ED Projector
In an effort to make presentations painless for left-handed teachers and executives, Buhl Industries has created the 9013ED 360-Degree projector. Just rotate the projector head 180 degrees and spin it around to accommodate a left-handed presenter. It can then be rotated back into the right-handed position for the next presentation. In addition to the 360-degree rotating head feature, the 9013ED projector is equipped with a lamp changer that allows presenters to keep an extra lamp "on deck" and slide it into place without interruption.
www.buhl-ind.com

InterWrite SchoolBoard 1071 and 1085
GTCO CalComp has announced the new InterWrite SchoolBoard 1071 and 1085 - two new wide-format interactive whiteboards with a 16:9 aspect ratio. The InterWrite SchoolBoard 1071 and 1085 support the industry's movement toward the use of widescreen laptops and wide-format projectors. The new models retain all the popular features of the current InterWrite SchoolBoard models, while providing educators with more usable work space. The InterWrite SchoolBoard 1071 and 1085 include high-precision electromagnetic technology; optional wireless Bluetooth connection; a durable interactive surface; and intuitive and teacher-friendly InterWrite Software.
www.gtcocalcomp.com

Dura-Safe from Best-Rite
With Dura-Safe trim from Best-Rite, marker board accessory trays are completely encapsulated with molded (silicone) rubber, thereby eliminating any sharp corners or edges. Fire safety is also achieved because the silicone compound will not support a flame and is inherently flame resistant. Due to the unique properties of the rubber, it can be manufactured in almost any color, so it can be customized to any school's colors. Safety experts note that creating a safe classroom need not be a daunting task if teachers have the right tools and knowledge.
www.bestrite.com

Overboard from US Markerboard
US Markerboard has introduced Overboard, the new and easy way to convert chalkboards to state-of-the-art porcelain whiteboards, where each board is custom sized to fit over the existing chalkboard. They provide step-by-step, easy-to-understand instructions on how to measure, order and install your new whiteboards. Location and size are important installation factors, so keep in mind that oversized whiteboards are very difficult to get up stairs. If this is the case, you can order the boards in two sections. If you want your new boards to last as long as your chalkboards have in the past, US Markerboard recommends porcelain on steel.
www.usmarkerboard.com