Nan Lombardo
My ideal learning environment would begin with abundant funding without having to rely on the philanthropy of private individuals. This classroom would actually be in the forest, where students could smell and feel their world – where they could experience their connectivity to planet earth. Here they would read and reflect, carry on discussions, then post their findings to our website using their wireless gizmos that are just big enough to have a comfortable keyboard. Convergence of data, voice and video is not an option, but standard on the units. The math and science would be integrated investigations using a problem based-inquiry learning paradigm. Their learning unit would have a GPS and they would use GIS, VOIP and all those other letters of the alphabet. Oh! Dare we call this Walden Woods?!? The technology and supporting software will have evolved to a place where students' techno tools are an integral aspect of their daily lives. As Dr. Seuss would say, "Oh, the places we can go!"

Alexis Moran
My ideal learning environment would be being with lots of people and with loads of computers. ...I can't say what I'll want developers to do because I will be one the developers. But then again I will know more them. ...By mid-century, I expect there to be computers teaching students, and full classrooms with a monitor of and instructor.

Kathy Conway
My dream... As you enter the classroom and look around you will see twenty-eight wireless laptops ready to be signed out by the students. CBLs and graphing calculators are attached to probes on the lab tables and glassware and lab equipment are ready for students to use. Students have access to the resources of the Internet at their fingertips. They take notes on their laptops, textbooks are online. Chemistry simulations are available at a keystroke. Lab tables are equipped with GIS satellite receivers, small computer based lab stations, database retrieval systems, and monitors. Students have video cameras, digital cameras and video data projector available in each classroom. I have a pull-down network station to use for class lectures and discussions. There is teleconferencing between students in different schools and electronic field trips occur on a regular basis.

What do I want to tell developers in the next ten years?

1. Listen to the teachers. We just had a new science wing added to our high school. Teachers made recommendations about various features in the building based on their experience with students and with lab work. For the most part, the recommendations were ignored.
2. Leave open space and put in some lab modules that are moveable. As technology advances it will be easier to move things around to make room for new equipment.
3. Make sure there is easy access to wiring. (This was a big problem when our new electronics were installed in our school for the T-1 line three years ago.)
4. Be sure that there are teacher stations next to the teachers' desk. There is not enough room on the teacher's desk for this station. When our new science wing was designed our teacher station was placed on our desk. It doesn't work.
5. Make sure that there are many outlets for recharging laptops. Keep these away from water sources.

Deborah Peek-Brown
Dreams! In a perfect world what would the perfect science classroom be like? The issue of technology would no longer be an issue. It would be as much a part of the classroom as pencils and paper and no one would think twice about it. Instead, the focus would be on the students. There would be no limits on their ability to explore, expand their knowledge and express their creativity. Technology would also help support student deficiencies. This way students with learning problems such as poor readers, would be able to do as much as any other student. Time would no longer be an issue. The school day would extend well beyond the classroom hours as e-mail and other forms of electronic communication supported learning on demand. This would also support a more collaborative learning environment since students could work together anywhere-anytime. The sky is the limit on what our students would be able to achieve once given the necessary tools.

Angela Cristini
I think that by mid-century most of or problems associated with the lack of access to computers will be overcome. The learning environment, including home and libraries will include enough technology, however, making it ideally supported by technology is almost impossible for me to speculate about – but... I love to look at furniture in the Streamlined design of the late 1930's and 1940's – tables, desks and chairs look like they are in motion; sitting in or at them will whisk you away to new, wonderful places.

Technology developers need to apply this design theory to prepare for what educators and students will want to do by mid-century by streamlining technology tools, access and encouraging learners' minds to stay in motion:

1. Eliminate platform and software incompatibility issues – create absolutely seamless streamlined transitions that can be accomplished in the most "user friendly" manner possible by learners with any level of ability.
2. Improve assistive technology to include all learners and insure that all technology applications are compatible with the assistive technology that has been developed.
3. Always keep our eyes on the prize – improving students ability to learn to think about their world critically and problem solve.