Flexible learning spaces: Sustainable student led design
Watch video of our classrooms in action - as
watching think about: what is the teacher doing, what are the students doing,
what learning is happening?
Teacher: moving, moving to different groups, working on the floor, at desks etc - where the students are, using the whole room, using different spaces of the room for different activities, not always doing whole class instruction at the front of the room, teacher moving to students not students moving to teachers, frequently touching base with different students
Students: looked comfortable, moving between different groupings, using different furniture - choosing what works for them to suit them and the tasks, accessing resources they need for different activities, sharing equipment and spaces, using learning tools around the room - vocabulary boards and displays, engaged in activities
Learning: collaborating, choosing resources they need, on task - not lining up/waiting for the teacher, helping each other out or finding their own solution, learning to be autonomous,
Teacher: moving, moving to different groups, working on the floor, at desks etc - where the students are, using the whole room, using different spaces of the room for different activities, not always doing whole class instruction at the front of the room, teacher moving to students not students moving to teachers, frequently touching base with different students
Students: looked comfortable, moving between different groupings, using different furniture - choosing what works for them to suit them and the tasks, accessing resources they need for different activities, sharing equipment and spaces, using learning tools around the room - vocabulary boards and displays, engaged in activities
Learning: collaborating, choosing resources they need, on task - not lining up/waiting for the teacher, helping each other out or finding their own solution, learning to be autonomous,
What have we learnt from our experiences this year? What are the key points to consider when designing flexible learning spaces?
Let go of the space - might look messy, changes through the day, students have opportunities to control their learning
Respond to what students are/aren't using and adjust the space accordingly - reinforce student choice
Less is more - think about the purpose of the furniture you're using
Be creative about what you use and how - not about being pretty
Whiteboard paint on tables - really effective in terms of collaboration, illustrating their learning
Let go of the space - might look messy, changes through the day, students have opportunities to control their learning
Respond to what students are/aren't using and adjust the space accordingly - reinforce student choice
Less is more - think about the purpose of the furniture you're using
Be creative about what you use and how - not about being pretty
Whiteboard paint on tables - really effective in terms of collaboration, illustrating their learning
Our rationale - does this match our practice?
Where to next?
