Module 14 Discussion: What Has Changed?

After reading the article in this module's book that dates back to 1995, there are many changes to high quality language instruction.  It has shifted from a more traditional approach where the teacher is the center of all learning in the classroom to a more interactive learner centered environment.  We see that now a teacher and a student are seen as collaborators to the student's learning.  We also see a shift to include other content areas in language instruction instead of a more rigid approach.  Students have more opportunity for choice now in their learning options.  Children also have an opportunity to be assessed in alternate modes instead of a traditional standardized tests.  

I know that I can see the change from when I was in elementary school back in the 80s.  Students nowadays have a more cooperative classroom setting.  The physical layout of the classroom is different.  Students are seated in tables that are grouped together, instead of facing the board like in traditional classrooms.  This allows for groups to work together and relationships between students to be richer.  There are also some schools that frown upon this collaborative student centered approach.  They advertise their more classical approach to education; however there are not too many people who agree with this approach.  In our county, out of 30 elementary schools, only 1 offers this classical approach (it's a charter school).  There is a high rate of students leaving the school because of this.