Learning Spaces in our Classroom and School
As a teacher at a new 21st Century school, you cannot help but be motivated and inspired about the structure of St. Cecilia and how it influences student learning. I have been motivated to learn more about learning spaces in schools and how to set up my own classroom to provide an enriched learning environment for my students. I found Dr David D. Thornburg's paper on Campfires in Cyberspace: Primordial Metaphors for Learning in the 21st Century to be quite relevant. I have taken his philosophy and the Core-Education visual summary of these learning spaces, to plan my own classroom environment.
I have used the above to model various spaces in my classroom, not to mention digital spaces. I tend to begin my teaching with the Campfire metaphor. Students might be sitting in their desks or gathered around the SmartBoard. Our school has great campfire spaces in the Learning Commons (great for guest speakers) and the gymnasium when the school gathers together as a community for various assemblies and liturgies.
My watering hole would be the shared table space or groups of tables where students gather and discuss. Some may prefer the carpet. Also we will be using Edmodo where large or small groups of students will be participating in various discussions.
We are very fortunate at St Cecilia to have "caves" in our hallways. Students spent quite a bit of time in them last year. Wether filming or recording, or just working alone, our caves are a great space for the independent learning.
In my opinion, the sandpit is the most important learning space. Here is where the thinking takes place. Students have tables instead of desks, which work great for working on. I have also provided a large table space at the back where I hope students will use as "maker" space. The mat on the floor provides ample of space. I have added a keyboard where students can experiment on. The Green Screen gives more opportunity for film creation. I often have students use the iPads and Chromebooks to explore and create.
My watering hole would be the shared table space or groups of tables where students gather and discuss. Some may prefer the carpet. Also we will be using Edmodo where large or small groups of students will be participating in various discussions.
We are very fortunate at St Cecilia to have "caves" in our hallways. Students spent quite a bit of time in them last year. Wether filming or recording, or just working alone, our caves are a great space for the independent learning.
In my opinion, the sandpit is the most important learning space. Here is where the thinking takes place. Students have tables instead of desks, which work great for working on. I have also provided a large table space at the back where I hope students will use as "maker" space. The mat on the floor provides ample of space. I have added a keyboard where students can experiment on. The Green Screen gives more opportunity for film creation. I often have students use the iPads and Chromebooks to explore and create.
Awesome classroom!
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