The Future of K-12: Will We Still Need a Physical Classroom?
With technological breakthroughs, we have replaced certain aspects of our society with new tools, all while creating new opportunities for people to take up. While there is undoubtedly much debate as to the ethics of replacing man with machine, there is no denying the usefulness of using technology and devices to enhance our world space.
Education is one such sphere of society that we are still trying to enhance with technology. As we have made progress, education and classroom learning have been slow to accept change, but it’s getting there. In fact, with the comparatively small amount of progress we’ve made, we are already asking the question – will we even need physical classrooms in the future?
We’ll answer this question by looking at the advantages and disadvantages of e-learning and seeing if it’s something that could replace traditional classrooms. Look here for a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages.
E-learning and the Use of Technology in Education
E-learning is often the first thing people look at when looking to expand beyond the traditional learning environment. It is essentially merging the conventional learning classroom aspects with newer technology, such as social media, video games, and other electronic mediums. Applications and tools such as Pedagogue exist to help in this endeavor by providing educators the tools to create an LMS or Learning Management System.
The Advantages of E-learning
There are some significant advantages to e-learning, especially with these new generations of tech-savvy children and teens. The most notable benefit is personalized learning for many children who would typically find it challenging to traditionally engage and grapple with concepts. E-learning allows you to be more personally involved with your students’ teaching and gives them alternative ways to approach subjects and ideas.
This means that your students are more likely to learn and achieve more thanks to a better learning environment for that particular student. However, e-learning isn’t for everyone, so you need to make sure that your online classes are as accessible as possible.
The Disadvantages of E-learning
While e-learning creates new opportunities for students to achieve, it also presents more opportunities for them not to succeed. First and foremost, among the disadvantages is the accessibility of e-learning. Not everyone can take part in online classes, and not everyone can handle e-learning well. It isn’t for everyone, but it’s always possible to personalize the education for those who aren’t doing well with this medium.
There is also a significant amount of reliance on the student’s responsibility. As a teacher, you have to expect your students to remain focused on their lessons, despite their environment not supporting focus, such as their bedroom. It’s almost an entire shift in the environment, and that can be difficult for many.
So will we still need classrooms for K-12 students? The honest answer is that there is no way to tell at the moment. The use of technology in education is still a very young concept, so there are still many kinks to iron out.
However, it is already proving to be an excellent supplementary tool that could mean that physical classrooms may not be phased out entirely. Still, there will be less reliance on traditional learning methods in classrooms.