Transformative Approaches to New Technologies and Student Diversity in Futures Oriented Classrooms

To what extent, and in what ways, is it possible to future proof children for a largely unknown and unknowable world? This is the key question addressed by this book. Recognising both what has changed-the social and technological contexts of schooling-and what hasn't changed-patterns of educational success and failure-the authors showcase practical examples of how educators throughout the world can use diverse technologies to empower diverse students and their communities for unknown, and unknowable futures.

In this book we outline an optimistic, aspirational and unashamedly ambitious agenda for schooling. We make cautious use of the concept of 'future proofing' to signal the commitment of the various authors to re-thinking the purposes, content and processes of schooling with a view to ensuring that all children, from all backgrounds are prepared by their education to make a positive contribution to the futures that are ahead of them. The book focuses on issues relating to technology and social justice to re-examine the traditional relationship between schools and technology, between schools and diverse learners, and between schools, children and knowledge. Drawing from examples from around the world, the book explores practical ways that diverse schools have worked to celebrate diverse understandings of what it means to be a learner, a citizen, a worker in these changed and changing times and the ways different technologies can support this agenda.

Goes well beyond usual 'how to use computers in schools' literature to ask bigger questions about the purpose of schooling Brings together scholars concerned with social justice AND technology Provides practical, small scale examples of how real educators in diverse contexts can work to transform students' relationships with both technology and learning

Autorentext

Dr Leonie Rowan is a passionately committed educator who works with the concept of relationship centred pedagogies to disrupt traditional patterns of success and failure in diverse educational and cultural sites. Publishing widely in areas relating to the role of schools in social transformation she has also been a chief investigator on 3 nationally competitive Australia Research Council Grants and in 2010 won a Griffith University for Excellence in University Teaching.

Chris Bigumhas an international reputation for researching the relationship between computing technologies and schooling and for thinking creatively about the way changing technological contexts challenge us to re-think the purposes of schooling. From the early years of computer use through to the read/write Web, his writings have consistently offered fresh and educationally productive insights.

Inhalt
List of contributors.- Part 1.- Chapter 1: Educational Futures: technologies, schools, and diverse learners: Leonie Rowan.- Chapter 2: Schools and computers: tales of a digital romance: Chris Bigum.- Chapter 3: Edges, exponentials & education: disenthralling the digital: Chris Bigum.- Chapter 4: Educated hope, modest ambition and school based equity reforms: possibilities and perspectives for change: Leonie Rowan.- Part 2: Chapter 5: Relationship centred schooling and knowledge producing schools: Carmel McGrath, Leonie Rowan.- Chapter 6: Empowering students as knowledge builders: Jan van Aalstand Carol K.K. Chan.- Chapter 7: Changing spaces, changing places: Helena Gillespie and Rob Walker.- Chapter 8: Teaching & learning: tales from the ampersand: Pam Hook.- Chapter 9 : Making scissors and paper rock: Old world technologies for re-engaging students in mathematics classrooms: Margaret Marshman & Peter Grootenboer.- Chapter 10: Swimming between the flags: The Floating World project: Craig Smith.- Chapter 11: Whose educational futures? Widening the debate: Mary Ulicksak and Keri Facer.- Chapter 12: Feedback clickers in plenary lectures: a new tool for formative assessment?: Rune Krumsvik.- Chapter 13: Imagining futures: Leonie Rowan.- Index: Subject.- Index: Names.