3 ways classroom ecosystems are changing

One of the definitions from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines ecosystem as “something (such as a network of businesses) considered to resemble an ecological ecosystem especially because of its complex interdependent parts.”

When you take a look at a classroom, there are several interdependent parts working together to create a successfully functioning classroom. The students, teachers, technology, curriculum, physical space, and furniture all play a role in creating a successful learning environment–and as we saw with the pandemic, a disruption to this ecosystem can have dire effects.

According to a report by Rand Corporation, teachers’ stress levels are at an all-time high and threaten the teacher pipeline. At the same time, according to a McKinsey Report, the pandemic has caused students to fall months behind in learning math and reading and has caused older students to disengage from their education.

As schools and districts look at solving these issues while also addressing the underlying systemic inequities the pandemic brought to light, in part because of access to technology, education thought leaders and administrators are sharing their thoughts about how classrooms need to evolve. The good news is, there is money available like never before to try new things to put student and teacher needs at the front of innovating.

Here are some of our takeaways:

Make Classrooms Student Centric: As everyone knows, the number of student devices has skyrocketed since the start of remote learning due to the federal funding provided during the pandemic. Although some schools were already 1:1 or had BYOD programs in place, many schools are experiencing this type of learning environment for the first time and without a lot of time to plan.