My ideal classroom.

THis is the moment where I go into the world of fantasy and wonder. I am about to describe the best classroom I can, using ICT in places and sometimes not. Run with me on this...

Firstly, the children all have computers but they are set into the tables so that they can be switched off remotely and used like a normal table. They are touchscreen, which means that the interface changes according to the needs of the lesson or of the child, and they are also linked to a central PC that the teacher controls, so children can sometimes use them independantly and sometimes the teacher controls what they see. This will cut down on the need to copy sheets, but can also be used as a normal table should ICT fail.

There is of course an IWB, though there is also a normal whiteboard and flipchart, covering for all eventualities such as computer failure, pen failure or blackout.

I appreciate that the technology is not entirely there, but on the subject of class management, the teacher has the ability to confine sound to a cretain part of the room, probably using neutrons or something. This would mean that group work would be a lot easier as you could section off certain areas of the room, but also that disruptive pupils would suddenly find themselves talking but no-one hearing them. As another bonus, there would be no disruptions from other classes as you could hold a brass band lesson and the teacher next door would be none the wiser.

Display boards could be computerised, so that you could create a disply at home and them bring it it, but also post up work or resources in paper. I really do intend to have my cake and eat it.

Attitudes to ICT

As this is a first post, I thought that it would be a good idea to make a note of my attitudes to ICT in schools as is at the moment.

Firstly, I think that ICT is a brilliant tool to use in the classroom, it can enhance and expand a lesson and encourage the children to learn and engage in the learning. There are a whole load of programs made by professionals that can serve as a basis for a lesson or introduction or plenary.

However, I fully support the idea that ICT should be invisible. The classroom that we were shown a few weeks ago was far too much ICT for me. It was in your face and completly unnecessary for a classroom. It was set up like a lecture theatre- great for learning 'stuff' but children should be learning how to be people as well. This would be difficult to learn when you spen your days sitting at a screen.

There is also the issue of cost. very few schools and even less families can affort to keep up with the advance of technology and there is always the very real possiblity of system failure- something that you do not have to worry about with a pencil.

Don't get me wrong- I am in no way against ICT and hi-tech schools, but I think that we should go in carefully rather than diving in headfirst. We should teach children to live in a world full of ICT, but also how to live without it.