BPT1501-21-S1-74T UNIQUE NUMBER: 393874 13381377
QUESTION 1:
1.1 Modern technology can be a panacea for the 21st century classroom, that being students
and teachers.
A large challenge that classrooms face in the 21st century is that of terrorism. Technology,
namely, warning systems and the internet as a source for information, may reduce violent
attacks in schools. Warning systems can be used to detect weapons before they can
infiltrate schools and harm students, and the internet can be used to teach students and
teachers alike about warning signs of and how to deal with terrorism when faced with it
in the classroom. Terrorism causes mass disruption in the class, both wasting school time
and causing mental/physical damage to both teachers and students, if we use modern
technologies to combat this, we can ensure that the curriculum is completed in time
without rushing and students remain mentally sound.
A 21st Classroom faces the lack of personalization. We still see that although times are
changing many schools are still using dated methods of teaching and learning. With the
use of technology, we can change this problem. Using Google Classroom, online testing,
and fun online games to teach and learn. This will improve the average grades of students
because they will be learning using technologies that they have grown up with. By
improving the grades of our students, we improve their futures.
21st Classrooms focus very little on mindfulness which is important for real life situations
and for how students perform in the classroom. With technologies such as electronic
devices and the internet, we can find and make use of applications and websites that
teach and encourage mindfulness. For teachers to fully understand, encourage and teach
positive mindfulness in the classroom we should make use of technology. Mindfulness is
useful for students to, according to Dr Meera Joshi, improve learning and memory which
not only helps them in the classroom but also for their futures.
The 21st classroom faces the problem of sustainability. In today’s world of overpopulation,
excessive use of natural resources and climate change, we find that schools are not doing
much to aid sustainability. Schools use, for example, so much paper during the school
year, yet they do not do anything to compensate this, for example by replanting trees at
the end of each school year. If we use modern technologies such as laptops and tablets,
the internet, and interactive whiteboards we will use much less paper, possibly no paper
while still getting all the work on the curriculum done. By using less paper, we will not
have to cut down as many trees and that means that the air will be cleaner for our
students and all the students to come, having healthy students means that the classroom
will be more active and productive.
Page 1|5
, BPT1501-21-S1-74T UNIQUE NUMBER: 393874 13381377
In the classrooms of the 21st century, we face the issue of inequality and the rate at which
it is increasing in South Africa. Inequality in the classroom includes the divides of races,
social status, and religions. We can use technology, such as video documentaries, music
and websites about the world and the people in it to connect all students from all walks
of life.
By using technology, we can combat the above-mentioned ills of society in our classrooms
and change the way we look at teaching and learning in the 21 st century.
1.2 Schools can act against the access of inappropriate online materials and content in the
following ways:
Activate safe search for search engines. Teachers can activate an option on Google, for
example, called SafeSearch which can be turned on in the settings option on a Google
account. SafeSearch filters out explicit images, videos, and websites. This can be seen as
one of the best options when acting against the access of inappropriate online materials.
Use child friendly search engines. Google has a variety of browser options that are catered
for children. An example is Kiddle, which as stated on their site, it is a search engine and
encyclopaedia that emphasizes child safety. Kiddle which can be activated by going to
your settings and changing the search engine being used has editors that hand-pick the
sites and images that can be accessed while using this search engine and cater for those
from as young as 4 years old. This means that all schools and all age groups can use this
method to prevent the access of inappropriate online materials.
Block pop ups. Pop ups or pop-up ads are a form of online advertising that if clicked on
will open a new web browser. We find that a lot of pop ups advertise inappropriate
content such as pornographic sites. This means that teachers should go onto Chrome
settings and choose the ‘privacy and security’ option where they will be able to turn on
‘block pop ups’.
Teach students about online safety. Teachers should have dedicated times at the start of
each school year to introduce students to online materials, where to find them and what
key words or browsers should not be used. Along with teaching online safety, the students
should be given a form to sign agreeing not to search, download or distribute
inappropriate online materials while using school devices.
Have parents set parental controls. As mentioned above, teachers should set dedicated
times at the start of each year, but for parents. They can encourage parents to set up
parental controls on devices that are brought to school and those used at home. Teachers
Page 2|5
QUESTION 1:
1.1 Modern technology can be a panacea for the 21st century classroom, that being students
and teachers.
A large challenge that classrooms face in the 21st century is that of terrorism. Technology,
namely, warning systems and the internet as a source for information, may reduce violent
attacks in schools. Warning systems can be used to detect weapons before they can
infiltrate schools and harm students, and the internet can be used to teach students and
teachers alike about warning signs of and how to deal with terrorism when faced with it
in the classroom. Terrorism causes mass disruption in the class, both wasting school time
and causing mental/physical damage to both teachers and students, if we use modern
technologies to combat this, we can ensure that the curriculum is completed in time
without rushing and students remain mentally sound.
A 21st Classroom faces the lack of personalization. We still see that although times are
changing many schools are still using dated methods of teaching and learning. With the
use of technology, we can change this problem. Using Google Classroom, online testing,
and fun online games to teach and learn. This will improve the average grades of students
because they will be learning using technologies that they have grown up with. By
improving the grades of our students, we improve their futures.
21st Classrooms focus very little on mindfulness which is important for real life situations
and for how students perform in the classroom. With technologies such as electronic
devices and the internet, we can find and make use of applications and websites that
teach and encourage mindfulness. For teachers to fully understand, encourage and teach
positive mindfulness in the classroom we should make use of technology. Mindfulness is
useful for students to, according to Dr Meera Joshi, improve learning and memory which
not only helps them in the classroom but also for their futures.
The 21st classroom faces the problem of sustainability. In today’s world of overpopulation,
excessive use of natural resources and climate change, we find that schools are not doing
much to aid sustainability. Schools use, for example, so much paper during the school
year, yet they do not do anything to compensate this, for example by replanting trees at
the end of each school year. If we use modern technologies such as laptops and tablets,
the internet, and interactive whiteboards we will use much less paper, possibly no paper
while still getting all the work on the curriculum done. By using less paper, we will not
have to cut down as many trees and that means that the air will be cleaner for our
students and all the students to come, having healthy students means that the classroom
will be more active and productive.
Page 1|5
, BPT1501-21-S1-74T UNIQUE NUMBER: 393874 13381377
In the classrooms of the 21st century, we face the issue of inequality and the rate at which
it is increasing in South Africa. Inequality in the classroom includes the divides of races,
social status, and religions. We can use technology, such as video documentaries, music
and websites about the world and the people in it to connect all students from all walks
of life.
By using technology, we can combat the above-mentioned ills of society in our classrooms
and change the way we look at teaching and learning in the 21 st century.
1.2 Schools can act against the access of inappropriate online materials and content in the
following ways:
Activate safe search for search engines. Teachers can activate an option on Google, for
example, called SafeSearch which can be turned on in the settings option on a Google
account. SafeSearch filters out explicit images, videos, and websites. This can be seen as
one of the best options when acting against the access of inappropriate online materials.
Use child friendly search engines. Google has a variety of browser options that are catered
for children. An example is Kiddle, which as stated on their site, it is a search engine and
encyclopaedia that emphasizes child safety. Kiddle which can be activated by going to
your settings and changing the search engine being used has editors that hand-pick the
sites and images that can be accessed while using this search engine and cater for those
from as young as 4 years old. This means that all schools and all age groups can use this
method to prevent the access of inappropriate online materials.
Block pop ups. Pop ups or pop-up ads are a form of online advertising that if clicked on
will open a new web browser. We find that a lot of pop ups advertise inappropriate
content such as pornographic sites. This means that teachers should go onto Chrome
settings and choose the ‘privacy and security’ option where they will be able to turn on
‘block pop ups’.
Teach students about online safety. Teachers should have dedicated times at the start of
each school year to introduce students to online materials, where to find them and what
key words or browsers should not be used. Along with teaching online safety, the students
should be given a form to sign agreeing not to search, download or distribute
inappropriate online materials while using school devices.
Have parents set parental controls. As mentioned above, teachers should set dedicated
times at the start of each year, but for parents. They can encourage parents to set up
parental controls on devices that are brought to school and those used at home. Teachers
Page 2|5
