Tomorrow's world: The classroom of the future

The US-based National Centre for Supercomputing Applications has offered a glimpse into the future of the modern classroom at architecture.about.com.

Learning clusters

In tomorrow's classrooms, students will no longer need to face a podium, teacher's desk, or writing board.

Learning stations are distributed along walls, in island clusters, or in zigzag patterns.

For small study groups, work spaces are triangular rather than square.

Teachers on screen

The classroom of the future could resemble a television studio with monitors, cameras, and other hi-tech appliances.

Students may watch classes from other schools, or their own class might be broadcast. This type of classroom will include bright overhead spotlights to enhance the quality of video transmission.

Acoustics

A classroom designed for acoustics might include microphones on student desks. Materials used for walls, ceilings and floors would be chosen to improve voice clarity. Echoing linoleum hallways would become a thing of the past.

Computers are everywhere

Forget computer labs with rows of monitors and miles of tangled cables.

In tomorrow's schools, electrical outlets and communications ports will be be strategically located throughout the school. Wi-fi laptops mean computers can be used anywhere.

Flexible spaces

Tomorrow's schools may become flexible, modular spaces.

Rooms can be reconfigured to accommodate changes in the curriculum, so that they are smaller or bigger.

Teachers will use moveable partitions in open-plan schools.

Irish Independent