Don Orth @finddonorth @hillbrookilab Intentional Learning Spaces in this Generation Hillbrook School Director of Technology & Strategic Partnerships EdTechTeacher Instructor and Presenter
Jan 13, 2015
Don Orth @finddonorth @hillbrookilab
Intentional Learning Spaces in this Generation
Hillbrook School!! Director of Technology & !
Strategic Partnerships!EdTechTeacher !
! Instructor and Presenter
Context❖ 1:1 devices (ubiquity, just-in-time access)!
❖ Dismantling of computer labs!
❖ Dynamics between teacher and student!
❖ Mobility!
❖ Student-directed learning!
❖ “Airplay” !
❖ Call for 21st century skills!
❖ Blended learning
Making a space that…
❖ Complimented the mobility of the iPad!
❖ Supported design thinking!
❖ Was multi-functional!
❖ Supported project-based learning!
❖ Was accessible to students!
❖ Allowed differentiation
Lowest Common Denominator
Classrooms!
not !
Common Rooms!
This is how it was
❖ What was the INTENTION behind this environment? !
❖ Is it still applicable?
Is this how it is?❖ Sue Cain* - inclination to value
extroverts and collaboration!
❖ 21st Century Skills!
❖ Common Spaces vs. Classroom!
❖ All or nothing?
What are we trying to do?
*Quiet: The Power of Introverts
What is our INTENTION?
Environment is NOT neutral
❖ Even neutral isn’t neutral.!
❖ Everything has an impact whether you intend it or not.
How can we be intentional
about learning environments?
Affordance TheoryEnvironment and the stuff in the environment support and encourage certain behaviors.!
!
❖ wheels afford movement!
❖ whiteboards (and pens) afford writing!
❖ lighting affords certain moods!
!
*Gibson
The Idea Lab - An Agile Learning Space
❖ Whiteboard walls!❖ Folding, rolling, whiteboard tables!❖ Rolling chairs!❖ No mounted board to indicate front of
class !❖ Mobile center display!❖ No teacher desk!❖ Room Reset!❖ Minimal wall decoration!❖ Students have access and permission
Afford
Whiteboard Walls & Tables
Collaboration!Public platform!Importance of work!Collaboration!Big thinking
Affords
No Teacher Desk Minimized hierarchy!Shared ownership
Affords
No Front of the Room
Minimized hierarchy!Student ownership of prime space!Student leadership
Affords
Room ResetIntentional classroom design!Understanding space needs!Student ownership of space!Engagement before work starts!Surprise or “spark”!Movement
Folding/Rolling Tables
Rapid rearrangement and space clearance!Spark with new
Affords
Movement/Energy
Rolling Whiteboards❖ Public display of work!❖ Leadership!❖ Ownership!❖ Creation of sub spaces
Configurations
Challenges/Questions
❖ Only good for PBL?!
❖ Good for all kinds of teaching/learning formats?!
❖ Good for all subjects?!
❖ Distracting? Divergent vs convergent thinking?!
❖ Good for all kids?!
❖ Good for all age groups?
Where might you start?
Before you build, create, design, decide!
!
❖ What do you want learning to look like? !
❖ What kind of behavior and learning do you want to encourage or afford?!
❖ What kind of teaching do you want to happen?
Hack Your Space❖ Retrofit wheels on old tables!
❖ Tennis balls on chairs!
❖ Paint tables with Rustoleum whiteboard paint!
❖ Use shower boards as whiteboard walls!
❖ Consider intuition and effect of wall decorations!
❖ Consider “front” and teacher desk!
❖ Consider giving students choice
*Make Space
Hillbrook’s Next Steps
❖ Introduce iLab components and philosophy into 3 more classrooms!
❖ Original iLab is prototype MakeSpace!
❖ Collect data on impact on student with CPS and other schools (join the study!)!
❖ Learning Spaces Summit (Oct 9-11, 2014)
Related Work❖ iPadSchools2.com
3-day iPad seminar for schools teams and leadership Asilomar (Pacific Grove) June 18-20, 2014!
❖ Learning Spaces Summit Gathering of educators dedicated to redefining learning spaces, invitation/application Schools of the Sacred Heart, SF, Oct 9-11!
!
@hillbrookilab @finddonorth
How do we collect data
❖ class observations!
❖ mini experiments!
❖ teacher and student surveys!
❖ video classes!
❖ edmodo comments!
❖ movement tracking
Creating Intentional Classrooms
❖ teacher desk position!
❖ font of room!
❖ decoration!
❖ what can students touch!
❖ choices!
❖ environment that sparks…