Teachers have traditionally deemed to be authority figures. This conception of educators has caused a sense of awe and reverence on the part of the students. The teacher is the one who harbors the truth; it is the person who knows everything. In this context, students have become mere receptacles of information (Freire's Banking Concept of Education). Nonetheless, we are facing a new age, highly influenced by technology, wherein the traditional concept of teacher and its functions are to be radically modified.
This short dissertation is going to set forth how the new-age classrooms should be with the goal of creating comfortable environments of easy and pleasant learning where the students are the true protagonist.
First of all, the architecture of classrooms should be reshaped to reflect the new pedagogy based on the premise of horizontal teaching. Desks are to be arranged circularly so that students can look at each other. In this way, The traditional teacher has stepped down from the platform to be a sort of guide around the “circle of feedback”. On the other hand, there is no need for a blackboard in the new-age classrooms since every student has its own digital device with an internet connection. The old teacher is now a guide responsible for suggesting topics which have to be collaboratively investigated by “the circle of students” on the web. The results of each's student research should be brought up to be compared to those of their classmates. Through this methodology, the student develops skills concerning critical and collaborative thought. Therefore, what is the teacher's task once s/he has ceased to be the pivotal figure in the new classroom? His/her task is to keep order in the classroom by monitoring that all activities are performing in accordance with the guide's planning for each session.
In conclusion, the new-age, horizontal education aims to instruct students to become future adults with developed critical thinking skills.
Jess Kuicast, English language graduate
