Old vs New

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 January 8, 2022

Before we start, let's reflect. What do you consider old? What do you consider new?

Carriages being pulled by a horse... old or new?

Electric cars... old or new?

Candle light versus electricity?


Now, what do you consider old in the classroom versus new? Do one room school houses come to mind? Do desk with chairs connected come to mind? What are the children learning? What is the teacher saying? Are there white boards or chalkboards? Are there any computers? Are there projectors or overheads? Do children have paper or IPads?

    I think you get the point. Not one teacher can tell me "It's always been done this way!" I've been in the game for 10 years and I can tell you almost nothing is the same. New studies and research are happening all the time. These change the field of education as we know it. Sometimes things circle back around, but in some way it's different. 

    Look at 2020!!! Hello?! Teaching was flipped upside down, shaken on its head, and then spit out again. Come on folks, you can not say teaching has always been done this way or that. But yet, there are teachers who will say it. I'm always shocked and amazed when I hear it too. 

    One of my best friends has been teaching as long as I have and will agree things change ALL the time in education. So, why are we so stuck on "that's the way it's always been?" I'm not that person!!! I believe change can be a good thing. I believe change brings progress and new ideas. I believe it allows for more opportunity and chances to create something new. 

    As you join my classroom, the idea of new and different has to be ok. It has to be looked at with an open mind. We have to avoid the "that's how it's always been." I'm going to take you on a journey to explore the "traditional" classroom in an effort to reinvent or reimagine the classroom setting in a new lens. Get ready with an open mindset as you step into "A Different Classroom."

Comment Section: 

What's something you consider traditional in the classroom? 

What's something you consider new or different?



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