In terms of technology, teaching and learning has changed quite a bit since I was a child. I remember a lot of rote memorization, drill and practice, and testing. Everyone had their own desk in rows facing the almighty chalkboard. There was not much collaboration or group work as compared to individual work. I do not remember receiving any formal computer class until 7th grade and that was done on Commadore 64's. Wow how have the times changed!!!! I'm not that old but boy do I feel like it when it comes to technology.
Now a days students enter Kindergarten knowing more about computers than I did when I was that age. Sthudents have formal computer classes beginning in Kindergarten. Students are learning Excel, Powerpoint, Word, how to search for information, post messages, email, etc.... Students today can take virtual field trips, take on-line classes, use the IVAN room at their school to take a class offered at a different school. Students communicate information and process it at a faster rate thanks to email, IM, texting, cell phones, etc...
In terms of staying the same, the physical buildings are much the same and how things are taught remains much the same. Students still use textbooks for most of their learning even though some texts are really old and out dated. Some things are still really strongly emphasized the same as I was in school. One example is cursive handwriting. In my opinion a lot of time is wasted teaching it and when the students get to middle school and high school much of the major work is done via computer software such as Word and Excel. Like the old saying goes the more things change the more they stay the same.
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I think that the students have changed also. Shorter attention spans have been documented. Just the way they use calculators (with two hands-like they text)has changed. They are less accurate using two hands on a calculator. The parents and students are so busy that they often don't have time to devote to school. You are right that schools have changed and remained the same.
You don't know old kid until you walk into the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago and see your first computer - on display! There it sat in a MUSEUM! TRS80 from Radio Shack. Ruined my whole day!
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