Times are definitely changing as schools are starting to incorporate more technology, such as introducing the use of tablets in the classrooms versus more traditional tools of teaching. However instead of merely using tablets as a means to teach, 11 Dutch schools are hoping that with their new approach to education, they will be shaking things up a bit in the education industry. These schools, which are referred to as “Steve Jobs Schools”, will be ditching blackboards and textbooks in favor of using Apple’s iPad wholly.
There will be no blackboards, chalk or classrooms, homeroom teachers, formal classes, lesson plans, seating charts, pens, teachers teaching from the front of the room, schedules, parent-teacher meetings, grades, recess bells, fixed school days and school vacations. If a child would rather play on his or her iPad instead of learning, it’ll be okay. And the children will choose what they wish to learn based on what they happen to be curious about.
The classes are expected to run from 10:30am to 3pm and because classes will not be taught in a traditional manner, children are welcome to come and go as they pleased, and parents will be able to take their children on vacation whenever they please. It does sound very radical and kind of fun, but given that these are the lives and education of future generations, do we really want to mess with the more traditional approach, at least not without some trial runs first? What do you guys think?