Teachers tell me what you think, please

[umpity]

Radio programme last night suggesting teachin in schools is going to go totally technological

All change in the classroom withing 20 years. Is that likely? (I gather
technology is already getting a hold) WHERE IS IT GOING? And is it all for the better?

[TheresAHedgehogInMyPocket]

I also heard that the American school system is getting rid of teachers and doing stuff like khan academy? Is this the same thing? Would be interested to know more about both.

[umpity]

Yes, I too would like to know more.

[TheresAHedgehogInMyPocket]

Ok I was slightly misinformed...they arent getting rid of teachers, but flipping the classroom. SO homework and more practical stuff in class time and lessons and lectures at home online using Khan. I found an article here...www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2011/09/28/05khan_ep.h31.html

[TheresAHedgehogInMyPocket]

www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2011/09/28/05khan_ep.h31.html

[Kittymalinky]

I hope they do replace us teachers with robots, as long as I get a decent redundancy package :)

[TheresAHedgehogInMyPocket]

Well I think teachers are generally great, Kitty, so i hope they dont replace them with robots!

Sorry about your redundancy package!

[stargirl1701]

I predict that every class will have a classroom assistant running it. The very expensive teacher will teach via a video link...to 5, 10, 50, 100 classes simultaneously.

Teachers are the biggest cost in education. They are also the most valuable.

I predict DOOM!

[Spottybra]

I think it's fantastic if its used correctly. A teacher can pre record a basic lesson then tailor the actual lesson much better to the smaller sub groups ofsted want to see pupils in by spending time at their table. It also allows for distance learning (hello holidays in term time again), learning outside of a set school day, or for pupils to go over the lesson if they struggle with it, especially important for secondary pupils.

It's not the answer to everything though. I cannot learn this way because I need to lip read AND hear to make sense of what people say and struggle to do that on a screen.

[Nocomet]

Step by step animations of maths problems and the nuclear decay that is confusing DDs class would be great.

Likewise things like embryology and the evil dingle genetics I did at university.

There are lots of things where really clear step by step revision resources would beat scribbles on a white board by a frustrated teacher.

[Nocomet]

Fungal genetics (although some mysterious dingle organism might have made more sense).

[QuiteQuietly]

Nocomet Madly off topic, but are you fungal expert? DH reckons fungus has limbic intelligence - is it true?!?

[PeasandCucumbers]

There are already schools where each child uses an iPad in both the independent and state sectors.

My DC are at an independent school and they have several sets of class iPads that the children use. From Sept children in Yr 6 will be encouraged to bring in their own iPad if they have one and for the senior school an iPad is going to be a required piece of equipment for Yr7s. I was initially very sceptical about this move but having been to the parent info sessions they have run I am slowly being converted! They certainly aren't replacing the teachers though!!