The classroom and learning space is continuously changing and evolving to incorporate various students’ needs and
their abilities. Learning is no longer just simply presenting ideas and filling students’ heads with information or remembering facts, it now involves the ability to critique, synthesis, analyse, use and apply information (Krishnan,
2013). In order for this to occur, schools and teachers need to accommodate for their students and the individual learning styles. Technology plays a vital role in the learning environment and will continue to enhance learning and strengthen classroom practices. Collaboration and cooperative learning is an important aspect in 21st century learning and therefore schools need to incorporate this way of learning into their curriculum and the classroom needs to support this idea as well. “Effective learning is not purely a ‘solo’ activity but essentially a ‘distributed’ one” (Slavin, 2010, p. 320) and therefore individual learning occurs through the process of interaction, negotiation and cooperation.
Team teaching is becoming quite prevalent in schools as educators are able to share teaching responsibilities within a classroom setting and this offers continuous support and learning from both colleagues and students (The Contemporary Teacher, ND). This benefits students as individual student needs can be catered for more easily and effectively with two adults working in the room with the diverse needs of children. A main goal now is to best assist and prepare students for the outside world. Teaching needs to go further than academic education and focus on other areas such as emotional, physical and social development. Education is always evolving and these significant changes should always be taken into consideration to prepare students to the best of their ability not only short term but long term.
their abilities. Learning is no longer just simply presenting ideas and filling students’ heads with information or remembering facts, it now involves the ability to critique, synthesis, analyse, use and apply information (Krishnan,
2013). In order for this to occur, schools and teachers need to accommodate for their students and the individual learning styles. Technology plays a vital role in the learning environment and will continue to enhance learning and strengthen classroom practices. Collaboration and cooperative learning is an important aspect in 21st century learning and therefore schools need to incorporate this way of learning into their curriculum and the classroom needs to support this idea as well. “Effective learning is not purely a ‘solo’ activity but essentially a ‘distributed’ one” (Slavin, 2010, p. 320) and therefore individual learning occurs through the process of interaction, negotiation and cooperation.
Team teaching is becoming quite prevalent in schools as educators are able to share teaching responsibilities within a classroom setting and this offers continuous support and learning from both colleagues and students (The Contemporary Teacher, ND). This benefits students as individual student needs can be catered for more easily and effectively with two adults working in the room with the diverse needs of children. A main goal now is to best assist and prepare students for the outside world. Teaching needs to go further than academic education and focus on other areas such as emotional, physical and social development. Education is always evolving and these significant changes should always be taken into consideration to prepare students to the best of their ability not only short term but long term.