Rethinking and Remaking the Classroom (Blog Post 1 - EDCI 515) *originally posted to EDCI 569 in error*
Far too often, the idea of physical space isn’t considered when we rethink how to maximize our teaching ability.
I have always been fascinated by architectural and interior design, and love the possibilities that physical arrangement and color can positively influence student learning. I dream of the opportunity to have the funds and time necessary to remake, reform and refresh my working, and my students’ learning environment. On a superficial level, I have tried to take the resources available to me, to create a classroom that encourages collaboration and cooperation. I do not have desks, and all of my students sit in teams at large tables. I try to choose teams that feature between 3 - 4 students of mixed ability and gender. My hope is that students stronger in one academic area will be able to help those who are perhaps struggling, and to help model good study habits. I also try to mix the groupings up every month, so that they can learn how to adapt to working with different personality types.
The physical arrangement of the team tables are situated around the periphery of my rectangular classroom, so that there is a large open area at the front of the class where students or I can present when necessary. I have intentionally created a small work space at the front of the class where I have a laptop and LCD projector that are on a wheeled cart that can easily be relocated if necessary.
My biggest frustration is that, while I have tried to maximize the flow around the classroom and minimized the clutter, but my room still feels drab and uninspiring. What I would really like to do is redesign, customize and add some much needed colors to bring it into the 21st century, and more importantly make it a place that my students and I are inspired to work and learn in.
During the course of my research into how physical space and colour impacts learning, I came across this series of 3 videos from Edutopia, that demonstrate the importance of good design can positively impact a learning environment, but also how undertaking such a classroom improvement project can facilitate creativity, critical thinking, collaboration and community action.
I have always been fascinated by architectural and interior design, and love the possibilities that physical arrangement and color can positively influence student learning. I dream of the opportunity to have the funds and time necessary to remake, reform and refresh my working, and my students’ learning environment. On a superficial level, I have tried to take the resources available to me, to create a classroom that encourages collaboration and cooperation. I do not have desks, and all of my students sit in teams at large tables. I try to choose teams that feature between 3 - 4 students of mixed ability and gender. My hope is that students stronger in one academic area will be able to help those who are perhaps struggling, and to help model good study habits. I also try to mix the groupings up every month, so that they can learn how to adapt to working with different personality types.
The physical arrangement of the team tables are situated around the periphery of my rectangular classroom, so that there is a large open area at the front of the class where students or I can present when necessary. I have intentionally created a small work space at the front of the class where I have a laptop and LCD projector that are on a wheeled cart that can easily be relocated if necessary.
My biggest frustration is that, while I have tried to maximize the flow around the classroom and minimized the clutter, but my room still feels drab and uninspiring. What I would really like to do is redesign, customize and add some much needed colors to bring it into the 21st century, and more importantly make it a place that my students and I are inspired to work and learn in.
During the course of my research into how physical space and colour impacts learning, I came across this series of 3 videos from Edutopia, that demonstrate the importance of good design can positively impact a learning environment, but also how undertaking such a classroom improvement project can facilitate creativity, critical thinking, collaboration and community action.
|
|
|
Takeaways from the Videos:
The Third Teacher + blog site
· Designers are in the classroom to take a critical look at “Things that work and things that could work better.”
Christian Long: TEDx Overlake Video Link
· Focus on sustainable design by using Recycled, Repurposed and Reclaimed Materials
· All designs for educational spaces need to have a realistic but manageable budget
· The best designs and executions of new classroom spaces involve community support & volunteers
· Any redesign of a classroom needs to match teaching and learning goals
· Involving student input in the process is important:
o Gallery wall of possible design elements to facilitate the students’ visual listening
o Incorporating the students’ preferences into the final design
· The final classroom design should increase teacher/student mobility and overall flow
· To help finalize and mesh together the ideas, host a “Solution Session” involving friends/colleagues or experts to critically assess, brainstorm and refine the design in regards to the following aspects:
o Teaching zone
o Personality
o Display
o Storage
o Furniture
· Prior to redesigning the space, it needs to be decluttered and cleaned
· Scott Doorley – Creative director at the Stanford D school
Design priorities
o Open people up
o Enhance Creative Collaboration
o Help share learning experiences
o Enhance peer-to-peer learning
Studio situations with whiteboards where students can collaborative problem solve / share ideas
The Third Teacher + blog site
· Designers are in the classroom to take a critical look at “Things that work and things that could work better.”
Christian Long: TEDx Overlake Video Link
· Focus on sustainable design by using Recycled, Repurposed and Reclaimed Materials
· All designs for educational spaces need to have a realistic but manageable budget
· The best designs and executions of new classroom spaces involve community support & volunteers
· Any redesign of a classroom needs to match teaching and learning goals
· Involving student input in the process is important:
o Gallery wall of possible design elements to facilitate the students’ visual listening
o Incorporating the students’ preferences into the final design
· The final classroom design should increase teacher/student mobility and overall flow
· To help finalize and mesh together the ideas, host a “Solution Session” involving friends/colleagues or experts to critically assess, brainstorm and refine the design in regards to the following aspects:
o Teaching zone
o Personality
o Display
o Storage
o Furniture
· Prior to redesigning the space, it needs to be decluttered and cleaned
· Scott Doorley – Creative director at the Stanford D school
Design priorities
o Open people up
o Enhance Creative Collaboration
o Help share learning experiences
o Enhance peer-to-peer learning
Studio situations with whiteboards where students can collaborative problem solve / share ideas
Outsourcing and leaning on expertise.
EDCI 515 Blog Post #4
Sometimes starting at the end is the best beginning.
Without a clearer vision of exactly what I would like my school to look like, at this point, I thought it would be best to consult with others to find out how they came to step outside the traditional mould and create their new educational environment.
As mentioned in my previous blog posts, it has been a real struggle to try to narrow my focus to only a few key areas. My hope is by contacting different experts in various areas I can further narrow my focus.
List of Contacts and areas of expertise:
Pacific School of Innovation and Inquiry
http://www.learningstorm.org
Jeff Hopkins – Teacher & Founder
[email protected]
778-433-3409
West Vancouver School District’s Premier Academy
http://www.sd45.bc.ca/ps/student-programs.html#SportsAcademies
Diane Nelson
Director of Instruction
Office Direct Line: 604-981-1150
Cell: 604-786-3575
Email: [email protected]
Tokyo International School
http://www.tokyois.com
Tel: 81-3-5484-1160
Patrick Newell
Founder of Tokyo International School
@PatrickNewell
http://21foundation.com/about-21-foundation/
High Tech High
http://www.hightechhigh.org/
Nikki Hinostro
[email protected]
Director of High Tech High Middle School
In addition to my attempts to reach out to some local and international experts, I have been doing further research into the physical design of the environment. I have done some initial research into how colour impact learning, how the layout of classrooms can benefit student engagement and the correlation between academic success and athletic proficiency.
As is obvious, there are still more questions to answer, than answers to questions, so my sincere hope is that my seeking professional help for guidance, and I don’t mean counselling, will bring my final research question into sharper focus.
Without a clearer vision of exactly what I would like my school to look like, at this point, I thought it would be best to consult with others to find out how they came to step outside the traditional mould and create their new educational environment.
As mentioned in my previous blog posts, it has been a real struggle to try to narrow my focus to only a few key areas. My hope is by contacting different experts in various areas I can further narrow my focus.
List of Contacts and areas of expertise:
Pacific School of Innovation and Inquiry
http://www.learningstorm.org
Jeff Hopkins – Teacher & Founder
[email protected]
778-433-3409
West Vancouver School District’s Premier Academy
http://www.sd45.bc.ca/ps/student-programs.html#SportsAcademies
Diane Nelson
Director of Instruction
Office Direct Line: 604-981-1150
Cell: 604-786-3575
Email: [email protected]
Tokyo International School
http://www.tokyois.com
Tel: 81-3-5484-1160
Patrick Newell
Founder of Tokyo International School
@PatrickNewell
http://21foundation.com/about-21-foundation/
High Tech High
http://www.hightechhigh.org/
Nikki Hinostro
[email protected]
Director of High Tech High Middle School
In addition to my attempts to reach out to some local and international experts, I have been doing further research into the physical design of the environment. I have done some initial research into how colour impact learning, how the layout of classrooms can benefit student engagement and the correlation between academic success and athletic proficiency.
As is obvious, there are still more questions to answer, than answers to questions, so my sincere hope is that my seeking professional help for guidance, and I don’t mean counselling, will bring my final research question into sharper focus.
Finding my Focus.
(Blog post #3 for EDCI 515 Research Assignment)
“If you focus on results, you will never change. If you focus on change, you will get results.” [1]
- Jack Dixon, American Author
Like being stopped at a four way stop, not sure of which way to turn…I find myself at a crossroads with my research. If I choose the wrong road, will it lead me back to this very point? What I am sure of at this point, is that not choosing will guaranteedly leave me going nowhere. So whether I head down the wrong road or not, the plan is to move straight ahead, to take on the challenges that lay before me, and se.
My Focus:
My plan is to tackle the challenge of creating a blueprint for a new school. I will be researching other schools that have branched off or broken away from the mainstream, and I am hoping to take the best elements of each of their successes to implement in my design. I also plan to research pedagogical approaches that reflect my vision for the school. I want to investigate different technologies to see which could be implemented and adopted in the classroom to facilitate the type of engaged, collaborative and creative learning I and hoping for.
To this point I have poured over dozens of scholarly articles, (to be more honest, I’ve actually only read the introduction or abstract in most cases) but nothing to date has resonated or seemed applicable, so I am back to square one. My hope over is to have a few dozen scholarly articles earmarked for reading over holidays so that I can carve out a clear direction for my research.
I would like to incorporate elements of design, community based schooling, 21st Century Learning, flexible learning environments, and integrated high performance athletics and academics.
It is a lot to digest and sort through, but through my initial web searches and discussions with Valerie, I am optimistic that I will find more focus, and the results will follow.
My current research interests: (Key word searches)
· Integrated athletics/academic curriculums
· Flexible Model
· Personalization
· Alternative Schools
· Physical Spaces and Learning
· Creative and Collaborative Education
· Passion Based Learning
· 21st Century Schools
Some of my targeted topics/areas for further research:
· Government requirements for certification
· Similar Schools in BC / Canada / United States
· Schools implementing a flexible academic schedule to allow for pursuit of high performance athletics
· Community Groups that could be incorporated into the support structure of the school
[1] Accessed from: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/24822-if-you-focus-on-results-you-will-never-change-if November 16, 2014 3pm
- Jack Dixon, American Author
Like being stopped at a four way stop, not sure of which way to turn…I find myself at a crossroads with my research. If I choose the wrong road, will it lead me back to this very point? What I am sure of at this point, is that not choosing will guaranteedly leave me going nowhere. So whether I head down the wrong road or not, the plan is to move straight ahead, to take on the challenges that lay before me, and se.
My Focus:
My plan is to tackle the challenge of creating a blueprint for a new school. I will be researching other schools that have branched off or broken away from the mainstream, and I am hoping to take the best elements of each of their successes to implement in my design. I also plan to research pedagogical approaches that reflect my vision for the school. I want to investigate different technologies to see which could be implemented and adopted in the classroom to facilitate the type of engaged, collaborative and creative learning I and hoping for.
To this point I have poured over dozens of scholarly articles, (to be more honest, I’ve actually only read the introduction or abstract in most cases) but nothing to date has resonated or seemed applicable, so I am back to square one. My hope over is to have a few dozen scholarly articles earmarked for reading over holidays so that I can carve out a clear direction for my research.
I would like to incorporate elements of design, community based schooling, 21st Century Learning, flexible learning environments, and integrated high performance athletics and academics.
It is a lot to digest and sort through, but through my initial web searches and discussions with Valerie, I am optimistic that I will find more focus, and the results will follow.
My current research interests: (Key word searches)
· Integrated athletics/academic curriculums
· Flexible Model
· Personalization
· Alternative Schools
· Physical Spaces and Learning
· Creative and Collaborative Education
· Passion Based Learning
· 21st Century Schools
Some of my targeted topics/areas for further research:
· Government requirements for certification
· Similar Schools in BC / Canada / United States
· Schools implementing a flexible academic schedule to allow for pursuit of high performance athletics
· Community Groups that could be incorporated into the support structure of the school
[1] Accessed from: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/24822-if-you-focus-on-results-you-will-never-change-if November 16, 2014 3pm
Connecting the Dots.
(Blog post #2 for EDCI 515 Research Assignment)
It’s funny how our ideas shift and morph, when we set off to accomplish something. A great idea comes to mind, and another that seemed so fantastic at the time, loses a bit of its luster. The process of trying to come up with a design for an all new school concept, has been anything but a linear journey for me, in fact my concept has changed so many times I can’t remember what my original vision was.
So rather than regaling you with each of the school’s possible incarnations, I will explain my current vision for a Community Based School.
The Clubhouse:
I was out for a drive the other day and took a circuitous route to get back to my son’s soccer practice. It was pouring rain, as it is apt to do in October in the Lower Mainland, and I found myself at the stop light outside our local Sports and Entertainment Complex. The sign outside the stadium was flashing ads for “Drop-in Hockey” on Friday nights, and “Open Gym Times” on Thursdays. Normally I wouldn't have given it a second thought, but earlier that soggy, dreary day I had been talking with a colleague of mine about my Master’s project and the idea of my start up school was still rattling around in my brain. Perhaps I was mesmerized by the flashing lights, or maybe I had a Tim Horton’s Dark Roast Coffee moment of caffeine-induced inspiration, but I began to ponder, “Hmmmm, what if my school operated out of the Sports Complex?”
As I weaved my way back towards the soccer field, where my son was practising, I started to get really excited about the possibilities.
I knew from having been there hundreds of times, that there were banquet and meeting facilities with WiFi and ample lighting and space, so the issue of classroom space wouldn't be an issue. I knew too, that inside the complex, there were a number of facilities that could accommodate not only students, but student athletes. Within the building there was a world class arena and a number of gymnasiums. Attached to the stadium was a gymnastics centre and a fully equipped high performance work out facility. While right next door, there were gobs of soccer and football fields, a brand new curling rink and an indoor tennis facility. I also knew from having taught at the neighbouring high school, that most of the facilities were underutilized during the day.
Seemed to make sense to me that, this multi-million dollar, multi-purpose complex, had yet another possible purpose...to be a school for high-performance athletes.
The Players:
Seems to me that there aren't too many schools in my neck of the woods that cater specifically to students who want to train and compete at the highest level, and still earn a quality education. There are a number of excellent school in our district that offer fantastic sports opportunities, but there are none that make a commitment to both academics and athletics equally.
I believe that by working in conjunction with existing high-level sports clubs in the community, that the start up school could offer a flexible and multi-accessible educational experience. An experience that would not only permit the student-athlete an opportunity to develop their skills in their chosen sport, but that could also teach them a number of practical, applicable and relevant hands-on skills while earning a quality high-level education.
The Coaches:
As any good recruiter would tell you, it is tough to attract the best, if you don’t offer something that no one else can. I would propose that every teacher at my high performance school, would possess not only the pedagogical expertise to be an effective and engaging facilitator, but they he or she would also possess a wealth of knowledge in a chosen sport.
Without the right staff in place, it would be very difficult to attract the kind of quality student-athletes that would not only become the student body of the school, but also goodwill ambassadors for the program and the school itself.
The Game Plan:
My plan at this point is to research to find out more about other high-performance sports school across North America and the world, and to see how they arranged their times tables, school and practice schedules. I am also interested in seeing which curriculum they follow if they are international or independent schools and whether they operate on a traditional or modified calendar. Once I have a solid list of 8 to 10 schools, I would like to dig a little deeper by contacting the school to speak to and interview the administration. In terms of academic research, I am curious to find out what studies have been conducted in terms of community based schooling, (ones that operate in conjunction with community groups, taking advantage of local expertise and facilities) and schools that offer integrated athletic programs.
So rather than regaling you with each of the school’s possible incarnations, I will explain my current vision for a Community Based School.
The Clubhouse:
I was out for a drive the other day and took a circuitous route to get back to my son’s soccer practice. It was pouring rain, as it is apt to do in October in the Lower Mainland, and I found myself at the stop light outside our local Sports and Entertainment Complex. The sign outside the stadium was flashing ads for “Drop-in Hockey” on Friday nights, and “Open Gym Times” on Thursdays. Normally I wouldn't have given it a second thought, but earlier that soggy, dreary day I had been talking with a colleague of mine about my Master’s project and the idea of my start up school was still rattling around in my brain. Perhaps I was mesmerized by the flashing lights, or maybe I had a Tim Horton’s Dark Roast Coffee moment of caffeine-induced inspiration, but I began to ponder, “Hmmmm, what if my school operated out of the Sports Complex?”
As I weaved my way back towards the soccer field, where my son was practising, I started to get really excited about the possibilities.
I knew from having been there hundreds of times, that there were banquet and meeting facilities with WiFi and ample lighting and space, so the issue of classroom space wouldn't be an issue. I knew too, that inside the complex, there were a number of facilities that could accommodate not only students, but student athletes. Within the building there was a world class arena and a number of gymnasiums. Attached to the stadium was a gymnastics centre and a fully equipped high performance work out facility. While right next door, there were gobs of soccer and football fields, a brand new curling rink and an indoor tennis facility. I also knew from having taught at the neighbouring high school, that most of the facilities were underutilized during the day.
Seemed to make sense to me that, this multi-million dollar, multi-purpose complex, had yet another possible purpose...to be a school for high-performance athletes.
The Players:
Seems to me that there aren't too many schools in my neck of the woods that cater specifically to students who want to train and compete at the highest level, and still earn a quality education. There are a number of excellent school in our district that offer fantastic sports opportunities, but there are none that make a commitment to both academics and athletics equally.
I believe that by working in conjunction with existing high-level sports clubs in the community, that the start up school could offer a flexible and multi-accessible educational experience. An experience that would not only permit the student-athlete an opportunity to develop their skills in their chosen sport, but that could also teach them a number of practical, applicable and relevant hands-on skills while earning a quality high-level education.
The Coaches:
As any good recruiter would tell you, it is tough to attract the best, if you don’t offer something that no one else can. I would propose that every teacher at my high performance school, would possess not only the pedagogical expertise to be an effective and engaging facilitator, but they he or she would also possess a wealth of knowledge in a chosen sport.
Without the right staff in place, it would be very difficult to attract the kind of quality student-athletes that would not only become the student body of the school, but also goodwill ambassadors for the program and the school itself.
The Game Plan:
My plan at this point is to research to find out more about other high-performance sports school across North America and the world, and to see how they arranged their times tables, school and practice schedules. I am also interested in seeing which curriculum they follow if they are international or independent schools and whether they operate on a traditional or modified calendar. Once I have a solid list of 8 to 10 schools, I would like to dig a little deeper by contacting the school to speak to and interview the administration. In terms of academic research, I am curious to find out what studies have been conducted in terms of community based schooling, (ones that operate in conjunction with community groups, taking advantage of local expertise and facilities) and schools that offer integrated athletic programs.
8 more minutes.
(Blog post #1 for EDCI 515 Research Focus Assignment)
The canary yellow and deep blue school bus rolled to a stop, just as the clouds began to clear from an early morning rain. Janice, eager for her first day at school, came skipping out of the bus, iPad in one hand, and her brand new Wonder Woman lunch bag in the other. ”Good Morning Mr. Principal!” Janice said enthusiastically as she bounded by, her backpack waggling wildly behind her shoulder length light brown hair.
It was day one at Pacific Collegiate Community School, a brand new community-based institution situated just minutes from the shores of British Columbia’s Southwest Coast. As Janice strode by in oblivious glee, Jake Main, the founder and principal, could not hold back the grin that beamed across his freshly shaved middle-aged face. It had been 4 long years of planning, negotiating, meeting with investors and drawing up blueprints for his dream school. Today was day one for him as well, the long awaited day that PCCS moved from a dream, to reality.
The process hadn’t been easy, but it had been a labour of love for the 45 year old first time business owner. He had invested all of his life savings, and nearly all of his free time into making his vision of a perfect school come to life. All of the educators had been hand-picked from Universities across the country and around the world. The classrooms were furnished with brightly coloured convertible loungers, fluffy bean bag chairs, yoga mats and touch screen video monitors. Desks were nowhere to be found, instead geometrically shaped adjustable height tables peppered the half dozen open-concept classrooms. After 51 months of refining a curriculum, researching teaching methodologies that reflected his pedagogical views, and creating relationships with community leaders and innovators, the first bell was only 8 minutes away.
There had been tons of detractors along the way, and even more sceptics, but as Janice crossed the threshold of Pacific Collegiate’s open glass doors, Jake knew something special, original and creative awaited his young student's well-deserved enthusiasm.
It was day one at Pacific Collegiate Community School, a brand new community-based institution situated just minutes from the shores of British Columbia’s Southwest Coast. As Janice strode by in oblivious glee, Jake Main, the founder and principal, could not hold back the grin that beamed across his freshly shaved middle-aged face. It had been 4 long years of planning, negotiating, meeting with investors and drawing up blueprints for his dream school. Today was day one for him as well, the long awaited day that PCCS moved from a dream, to reality.
The process hadn’t been easy, but it had been a labour of love for the 45 year old first time business owner. He had invested all of his life savings, and nearly all of his free time into making his vision of a perfect school come to life. All of the educators had been hand-picked from Universities across the country and around the world. The classrooms were furnished with brightly coloured convertible loungers, fluffy bean bag chairs, yoga mats and touch screen video monitors. Desks were nowhere to be found, instead geometrically shaped adjustable height tables peppered the half dozen open-concept classrooms. After 51 months of refining a curriculum, researching teaching methodologies that reflected his pedagogical views, and creating relationships with community leaders and innovators, the first bell was only 8 minutes away.
There had been tons of detractors along the way, and even more sceptics, but as Janice crossed the threshold of Pacific Collegiate’s open glass doors, Jake knew something special, original and creative awaited his young student's well-deserved enthusiasm.