Abstract:

The paper deals with the conditions for successful implementation of modern teaching methods i.e. effective use of modern digital technologies and effective use of digital learning materials.

Digital technology is supporting the education process for some time but nowadays the emphasis is on new class model termed as New Generation Classrooms. Such classrooms its arrangement and equipment provide a stimulating environment for pupils which raises pupils' motivation to independent work and supports the constructivist approach in the educational process. The main emphasis at these termed classrooms is also pupils access to modern digital technologies which also function as a motivation but mainly give pupils the newest opportunities to their own creative activities. Using these technologies they acquire almost unlimited source of information, tools for their independent inquiry and experimentation or various forms of online collaboration and knowledge sharing. In this article we introduce the many digital technologies suitable for effective implementation to the educational process.

Another important part of the modern educational process is the content of education and software tools to support building new knowledge. We point out some useful software tools to support inquiry-based approaches to acquiring new knowledge pupils themselves but also on the possibility of digital educational content creation by teacher. Learning materials are then created by electronic materials referred to as digital learning objects. These objects can be with different levels of interactivity. Digital learning objects creates a teacher either himself or uses already prepared objects either unchanged or is able to modify the acquired objects and align with required educational goals and the actual content of teaching discipline. So he is able to modify it in the specialized software for creating interactive digital learning objects which is e.g. programs for creating animation and software for creating digital learning objects designed for the interactive boards.

The New Generation Classrooms combine various traditional teaching methods with the most modern technologies and digital teaching tools which can make the educational process more engaging and the building of pupils new knowledge more effectively.

In the article there are the results of the first part of the research realized within the student grant project “ICT in Mathematics at elementary schools in Olomouc and Leshan City”. In this project is examined the use of ICT in mathematics teaching in primary schools in the Czech Republic (Olomouc) and China (Leshan City), also examined are the competencies of teachers in ICT and teacher attitudes towards ICT. Comparison of using ICT in schools in these regions will be performed and especially optimal ways of using ICT in mathematics at elementary schools will be searched for. The first part of the research has already been carried out in China. Through a questionnaire survey and interviews with teachers were investigated following topics: ICT implementation to schools; use of digital technologies, software and electronic resources in lessons; ICT competencies of teachers; teachers' attitudes towards the implementation and use of ICT in the educational process. The survey was realized by questionnaires and interviews with teachers.

Keywords:

Digital technology, new generation classrooms, digital educational content, digital learning objects.