Texts will be supplemented with or supplanted by interactive online texts giving access to databases, full-motion video, live links to experts and to the global network. The classroom environment will be improved to accommodate a diversity of learning styles, interesting preparations, development of cooperative and team skills. The professor will become more important in the new classroom. Emphasis will be placed on bringing professional research tools to the student and in actively involving students in a research model of learning. The university will become a more exciting place to teach and learn.
Students can swivel their chairs to either face the instructor or face the workstation.
The idea behind the classroom is to develop the integration of tools, modeling programs, access to databases, video, interactive text and access to powerful communication tools. The virtual classrooms of the future will need access to reliable networks with high bandwidths to transport full-motion video and other multimedia resources. New technologies available for teaching have huge implications for libraries and universities. Libraries have a role to play in guiding the wise use of these resources. Unless otherwise noted, this work is copyrighted by the author.