The research teams believe that children need to feel a part of a real community. One that is actively engaged in learning. The SFT program completely restructures the day and champions collaboration. As the students were drawing the cockroaches they were talking excitedly. The physical organization of the rooms were changed to include a minimum of eight computers per classroom and the teacher developed rotation and management schedules for computer and group work.
Students use the technology in authentic ways.
It is not just a complicated way of practicing basic skills. They began to brainstorm how a real scientist would share their knowledge and the idea of making a documentary came to mind. Motivation and excitement grew as the production of the documentary was underway. Ask the experts Many times SFT students are given the opportunity to ask experts in the field. They may make face to face visits to labs or other places pertinent to the research or experts might come to the classroom as a visiting teacher to share or help with a project.