Executive Summary:
Digital Learning Spaces 2010

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Digital Learning Spaces: 2010 is the fourth report by CoSN's Emerging Technologies Committee. Based upon extensive research and interviews with educators, administrators, and industry experts, the 30-page report considers the impaces technology could be making on K-12 teaching and learning in 5 years, if the proper groundwork is laid now. The report can be purchased through CoSN's online Catalog.

Five years from now, in 2010, what impact will technology be making on K¬–12 teaching and learning in your school district? To a great extent, the answer to this question depends on the vision you create, the priorities you set and the planning you do today.

For chief technology officers, creating a vision of technology-rich learning environments should be no stretch of the imagination. The familiar kinds of technology that millions of people, businesses and leading-edge schools already use could transform public education on a grander scale within five years: Small, portable smart devices are ubiquitous and user-friendly. Wireless technology and digital accessories make anytime, anywhere connections to people, information and applications possible. Voice, video and data communications are merging over high-speed bandwidth. Customizable software and Web services personalize information and experiences.

This isn’t science fiction. This is reality today. Yet the vast majority of K-12 schools and even higher education institutions continue to operate as if technology were an add-on or a luxury — not an indispensable tool that can contribute substantially to bottom-line results in teaching and learning. For a number of reasons, this position is increasingly untenable:

• Affordable speed and power. High-speed bandwidth is inexpensive and common. Viewing high-quality videos, interactive lessons or other superior media content on a computer or smaller device can be done easily and transparently, whether at home or in the classroom.
• Anytime, anywhere capacity. Wireless technology is making it possible for schools to bypass the expensive, complex and time-consuming task of wiring older schools. Students and teachers can routinely take advantage of online learning, use a variety of hardware and software tools, and communicate and collaborate extensively in “schools without walls.”
• Customized, effective learning for every student. Affordable, flexible and customizable hardware and software are powerful tools for personalizing teaching and learning. Software, loaded locally or from a network, embodies advanced algorithms for analyzing and assisting every student, based on individual needs and learning styles.

These “under the hood” developments in technology make this the right time for schools to look and plan ahead for 2010. A five-year time span is reasonable for creating a vision, setting priorities and implementing plans that will result in learning environments appropriate for the 21st century. The aim should be nothing less than a customized learning environment for every student in every school.

Customized Learning Spaces and the Technology Infrastructure

In this report, the Emerging Technology Committee of the Consortium for School Networking will fast forward to 2010 to consider how learning spaces — a term that encompasses the learning environment and the technology that supports it — may be customized in three settings:

Math and science learning, where the outdoor classroom, integrated learning, inquiry and engagement could be the norm for high school students

Learning in cyberspace, where shared learning and personal learning plans could be supported by virtual learning games, virtual tutors and virtual counselors

The elementary school classroom, where online learning could be commonplace

For leading-edge schools, these learning environments will seem well within the realm of the possible and, perhaps, even the familiar. For most schools, however, they can serve as an inspiration for what can be achieved by 2010.

We’ll also discuss the policy and instructional implications that go hand-in-hand with technology implementation. And we’ll provide a thorough look at the technology infrastructure that school districts need to create learning spaces offering 21st century tools that will motivate students to learn.

Purchase This and Other Reports from the Series

Digital Learning Spaces 2010 is the fourth report of CoSN's Emerging Technologies Committee. It and the other three, Hot Technologies for K-12 Schools A Guide to Wireless LANs in K-12 Schools and A Guide to Handheld Computing in K-12 Schools are available for purchase from the CoSN Catalog.

See also:

• Digital Learning Spaces 2010 press release

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Digital Learning Spaces 2010 was written by CoSN's Emerging Technologies Committee under the direction of Karen Greenwood Henke and Raymond Rose. It was edited by Martha Vockley with art direction by Northstar Creative.