8. The Internet and the Classroom of the Future

Classroom implications

So where is all this leading us in the future? Hopefully, someday soon schools will be equipped with at least one computer in each classroom that will be connected to the Internet. In this way teachers can use the Web as an electronic reference tool or connect it to a large monitor for class presentations. As the technology becomes more affordable and reliable, schools will find that the Web will facilitate communication between teachers, students, and parents: schools will post notices, policies, and information on the Web. Teachers will have their own E-mail boxes where students and parents can leave messages. This will allow the teacher to respond to parental queries or requests in his/her own time.

Department of Education

The entire area of school management will be affected by the Internet. Recently, the Government launched its own Web site and the Department of Education now has its very own page. Currently, it contains a message from the Minister and some budget data but the time will come when all circulars and correspondence will be circulated to each school on the Web. This concept is already in existence in Canada, Australia and in some progressive states in the United States. Of course, for this to succeed, every school will need a computer, modem, and local access to the Internet, which will come in time. Taking this idea a step further - all returns to the Department will be conducted electronically over the Internet - salary forms, attendance returns - all will be completed on your school computer and E-mailed to the Department. It is hard to predict what will happen but the above scenarios are distinct possibilities in the months and years ahead.

Video conferencing and CU-SeeMe

Other future advances are more predictable. New technologies such as CU-SeeMe and video conferencing are already in existence but the trick in the future is to improve the quality and reduce the cost.

Video conferencing allows you to talk to and see someone far away via computer. CU-SeeMe is a free video conferencing program which can be downloaded from the Cornell University page on the Web. The software is available for Macintosh and PC computers and allows any number of people at locations anywhere around the world to video conference with one another.

CU-SeeMe aims to provide video conferencing at low cost. All you require is the CU-SeeMe software and a computer that comes equipped with a microphone and sound software, in addition to being able to display 16 shades of grey. In order for other people to see you on their screens, you need to buy a small digital camera which attaches onto your PC. Such cameras are relatively inexpensive and cost less than £100.

The possibilities of such technology in education are mind boggling. Imagine a group of children conversing in French with a class in France or students communicating with kids on the other side of the world about their school and their country. Such developments will allow the Global Classroom to become a reality and make learning a truly interactive process.

Good quality video conferencing on a PC is as yet extremely expensive and is still well outside the budget of most schools.

On-line educational software

In the future, schools will download educational software and resources as they require them from the Internet. We will probably pay a fee in order to do this but instead of clogging up our hard drives with educational programs we will be able to download them as required. Again this will eliminate the problems of outdated software programs and incompatibility between different versions of the same program.

Other Ideas

Electronic personal organisers will allow students of the future to keep track of their lives electronically. Such small hand-held devices will contain electronic address books and simple applications to allow students to work at home. In school they will be able to attach their organiser to the school computer and submit their assignments electronically.

Imagine students leaving school with an electronic portfolio containing samples of work from Infants up to Leaving Certificate. Such a concept is currently being examined in the United States. Teachers and students would select samples of a student's best work and save them electronically to a CD. Such portfolios could form part of a student's overall assessment at key stages in their education.

| Contents Page | Order the Booklet |

To report a problem in the operation of this web site email webmaster@classroom.broadcom.ie