It used to be you had to travel to a university and spend four years there. Forces for change The biggest engine driving change forward is technology. Computers, Internet connections and even digital cameras used daily in schools such as Spencer Bibbs Elementary will become increasingly commonplace at all schools. So, too, will the software programs that tutor children in math, science and other subjects. The programs are tailored to track each child's particular strengths or weaknesses.
Teachers then use the computer findings to work further with students individually.
Teachers are reporting that for every hour of computer instruction, students are showing one month's growth, Lawless said. But those tools offer just a glimpse of the advancements that will be coming within just a year or two, says Escambia County School Board member John DeWitt, an international consultant on technology and education. Digital communication promises to revolutionize existing technology because it will allow huge amounts of information to flow between computers at even faster rates. That will make it even easier for students to get information and share it between classrooms or countries. For teachers, it will mean a new role.