IN West Allegheny Fall 2017 | Page 30

thank educators for this as they take cautious steps to integrate technology into the classroom to ensure that students maintain the collaborative spirit of traditional learning. Educators are incorporating new approaches to learning through STEM education, learner-center spaces, and incorporation of digital tools where necessary; all while teachers are keeping up with the technology Joneses. W hen you look around, you will see the soft glow of light beaming onto the faces of our peers as they immerse themselves in their smartphones, tablets and computers, getting their news, updates from family and friends, and staying connected. We see technology seeping into every aspect of our lives; our cars are equipped with technology to connect to our smart devices through Wi-Fi and “smart” homes allow our phones to control anything from thermostats to light switches. Technology is an integral part of almost all aspects of our lives, but as we look toward one of the most ancient traditions, it has seemingly stayed, for the most part, traditional. As institutions start to examine advancements in technology in the classroom and new approaches to learning, we are seeing variations to classroom settings, an uptick in digital learning, and teachers keeping up with the ever-changing educational landscape. According to National Geographic, it was 1635 when the first public high school in the United States opened in Boston—a room with desks and chairs in neat rows and the teacher’s desk adorning the front of the classroom. Since then, we’ve seen blackboards transform to whiteboards, and now to interactive displays. Paper and pencils have been erased by computers. Yet we haven’t seen technology completely overhaul the classroom. Teachers haven’t (yet) been replaced by robots, and students are still lugging home heavy textbooks. We can 28 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE | West Allegheny STEM EDUCATION Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, or STEM, is a curriculum based on educating students in subjects that have been underserved by graduating seniors entering the workforce in the past. Each of these fields encompasses a vast number of disciplines under them, touching almost all aspects of our lives. An increasing number of jobs are available each year in these fields and there are schools opening across the country that are solely based on STEM learning. There continues to be an increase in the number of students applying for admission, so much so that public schools are now incorporating these types of courses into their curriculum to keep up with student interests. Teachers are teaching their students with an interdisciplinary approach based on real- world applications, allowing them the opportunity to conduct research, connect with executives, and collaborate with their peers. A report done by InTech explains that “a successful STEM education provides students with science, math and engineering/technology in sequences that build upon each other and can be used with real-world applications.” The National Science Foundation estimates that 80 percent of the jobs available during the next decade will require math and science skills. By introducing new practices that are being used across different industries, students are getting a firsthand look into what their future could hold. STEM is still very new to educators, students and parents alike, but the impact these four fields will have on our future proves to be important to all. Another tactic educators are implementing to increase collaboration and engagement is through the implementation of communal spaces. As teachers, students and parents seek out upgrades to the traditional approach of learning, inspiration comes from Silicon Valley, as communal spaces have proved to allow for more than just collaborative learning. According to the Social Development Theory, social interaction and a sense of community play a critical role in cognitive development. Providing students with a space where they feel comfortable and free to express their feelings also opens the door for shared learning. DIGITAL LEARNING Digital learning is a type of adaptive learning facilitated by, or with the help of, technology. This is done through the use of computers and tablets and can be found in traditional classrooms, blended classrooms or virtual learning classrooms. Students who once relied solely on textbooks available at the library now have access to resources and information that, prior to the internet, were unattainable. With almost unlimited resources, teachers and students have a new approach to learning. They have tools that assist with research, videos that make learning more fun, and access to a community of individuals (peers, leaders and the like) to support their projects.