Hello my name is Will Barela and I plan on opening the first alternative school that is based on chess.

Having technologies like smartboards and projectors are great, but I want my students to feel prepared for what they are going to face. I feel excited about including not more electronics like iPad, or smart board, but also discovering how to connect myself with my students outside the classroom. “Flipping the classroom” is a method I look forward to exploring more because I want students to be able to ask questions when they have the question instead of waiting till the next class.

I feel that I already had a nice setup with my first classroom but learned during this course that there are other technologies that I could incorporate into the way I teach. Edmodo, Google classroom and Infographics are just a few ways that I can integrate into my style of teaching. By increasing the number of desks available allows me to adjust my class sizes accordingly.

In my new drawing I changed the orientation of the desks to create a center focus for myself and those that are speaking. I separated the chess tables to create a more intimate play area for those that play at an expert level. Those that are learning, or aren’t quite expert level will be, able to turn their chairs and compete at their desks. There will be windows that can be used as EMERGENCY EXITs but with low storage cabinets underneath and tall cabinets/shelves for chess sets, books and displays in between. Posters and pictures will fill the walls that inform, inspire, and encourage.

Having experience teaching chess to students around the district has been a learning experience itself. I feel that the technologies I’ve learned about will only increase my availability to them, as well as increase my abilities to connect with the students and teachers when my dream comes to fruition. Being able to keep up with new technologies, styles, and techniques will also be important for teaching the next generation of innovators, presidents, doctors or even teachers.