What is a democratic classroom?

Democracy…here, there and everywhere. This term is omnipresent. Democracy essentially means that the people of a country have the right to choose their leaders and the largest percentage wins. To me, democracy means to have equal rights as everyone else has and to have a voice to be heard. The citizens of a country are given…POWER! “But with great power comes great responsibility” – Stan Lee.

Our country, South Africa is democratic and therefore the classrooms have to be too. What do you perceive a democratic classroom to look like? How will the teacher behave towards the learners and vice versa? Think for a few seconds what virtues or traits you would want to see in a democratic classroom…

We all need to keep in mind that the teacher as well as the learners need to be part of this democratic process. One of the aims of schools should be to be able to send the learners out into the ‘real’ world as good democratic citizens. We cannot ignore democracy in our classrooms but expect learners to know what to do in society once they leave school. Learners need to learn a sense of responsibility and common decency. We, as teachers, are busy molding citizens for this country.  However, teachers are also often guilty of not portraying a democratic classroom.

A few virtues that depicts a democratic classroom are:

·         Respect

·         Trust

·         Compassion

·         Care

·         Listening

·         Inclusivity

We (as teachers in the making) have decided to focus on three virtues we find crucial to education in a democratic classroom. These are respect, trust and compassion. 

Interactive White Board ...

So I really didn't know what this Interactive White Board was/is. I still don't really. Apparently its a really expensive piece of equipment that can do magical things? 

All the classes that I have been to in the Education Building have these boards, however I never see them being used except for the odd few lecturers that display PowerPoint slides onto them...(one doesn't need such expensive equipment to merely display PowerPoint slides). 

Nonetheless we are living in the age of technology and I feel it is important not to be stuck in the previous centuary. I like technology when: 1. It works and 2. I know how to use it.  I know that my opnion will change on this IWB once I have had some training on it therefore I look forward to learning what this board is really capable of. Right now I am too scared to even touch it. 

I think if one is fortunate enough to go to a school that has these IWB's it would really be to ones advantage to use. 

In my subjects: Natural and Life Sciences it can be used by showing videos (as usual) but also to get learners to participate by writing on the board during lessons. There are probably more ways to incorporate it which I will become aware of once I know what this board is and how it works :)