Rethinking Our Learning Spaces

CC Wikimedia - Thelmadatter

Heutagogy, unlike pedagogy, focuses on self-determined learning. As learning and education become more heutaogical, shouldn't our learning spaces accommodate this shift? What are the features and characteristics that define a modern learning space? Notice, that I have not used the word classroom. Several days of researching this topic has challenged my thinking on the concept of classroom. This verbiage has been replaced with terms like; ideation lab, innovation space, maker pods, gamer zone, and learning sector. The concept of specific learning zones is not new.

What type of learning would you expect to find in our Auto Shop, our Dance Room, our Transitions Apartment, or our Art Lab? Should these learning areas be separated from each other, or should schools be designed with an open concept to invite cross-curricular, self-directed, learning experiences?

We are supporting innovative teaching and connected learning with a 1:1 iPad initiative, and while we like to trumpet the phrase, "the device shouldn't matter", in the case of redesigning outdated classrooms, the iOS device does impact the integration of supportive technical features, such as multimedia projectors, and Apple TVs.

Students in our Business, Applied Tech, and Art Departments will be researching, designing, and illustrating how our modern learning spaces should look and function. Hopefully, their collective work will serve as a recommendation for moving forward with an extensive remodeling of our learning spaces. Your input on this is welcome and encouraged. What are you and your school doing to modernize your learning spaces?

General Recommendations

Open spaces for students to move and gather for collaborative learning
Move-able furniture to provide flexibility of use for the space
Idea paint and whiteboards for sharing ideas on vertical spaces
Elimination of the teacher desk / workstation
Smart TV or interactive projector to assist students with engaging, hands-on presentations
Apple TV to provide projection capabilities from instructor / student iPads
Ceiling mounted speakers to provide clear audio to the entire space
An iPad stage to support demonstrations and large group discussions
A wireless access point to provide ubiquitous Internet access to the learning space
Ample availability of electrical outlets and charging stations for student devices
Storage solutions for peripherals such as bluetooth keyboards, headsets, and controllers

Self-Directed vs. Self-Determined Learning; What's the Difference?

"We need to move beyond the idea that an education is something that is provided for us, and toward the idea that an education is something that we create for ourselves." - Stephen Downes In this age of abundance of information, shifting classroom pedagogy isn't nearly enough to make learning in school more relevant and authentic for the learner. Self-directed learning ( andragogy ), and self-determined learning ( heutagogy ) are the ideals necessary in making students " future ready " to live and learn in a web-connected world. While original research applied these concepts to mature learners, it has become apparent that even young children have an abundant capacity for recognizing and directing their learning. Anyone who has observed toddlers learning how to walk and talk understand the motivation and skill development that quickly develops during these processes. Considered by some to be on a learning continuum, self-directed learning, and self-determined

Board Games in the School Library: 3 Reasons Why It's a Winning Play

"Play is the highest form of research." - Albert Einstein “Play is the work of the child.” – Maria Montessori In our recently remodeled school media center, we have a space dedicated to active engagement in fun learning activities. Part maker space, part literacy lounge, board games are being incorporated to promote a culture of joyful learning. Whether it's a game of Rummy , Yahtzee , or Scrabble , family game night serves as a communication elixir and solidifies our domestic climate of togetherness. Shouldn't similar opportunities for interaction, challenge, and fun exist somewhere in our schools? Broken families, cultural fragmentation, and poverty are impacting opportunities for children to play. As we unpacked and tagged our new media center games, I was more disappointed than shocked by the number of students who had never played Monopoly , Boggle , or Sorry . One skeptical teacher commented, "Oh great, now we're letting students pl

Digital Badges for Teacher Professional Development

Increasingly, digital badges are becoming a topic of discussion for educators. A digital badge is a digitized token of recognition for acquiring a skill, demonstrating a competency, or for sharing knowledge gained from the completion of an activity or project. As more of our learning comes by way of digital connections and contributions, badges are becoming a more prominent method of acknowledging skills and accomplishments. Many teachers readily acknowledge the importance of personalization of learning for students. Shouldn't professional development experiences offer the same promise? Ask a typical teacher to describe their PD experiences in a single word and you will likely get responses such as irrelevant or boring . Besides personalization and relevance, digital badges provide opportunities for teachers to discuss the skills and knowledge that support educational best practice, and professional growth. These conversations support the form and function of profession

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