Educational

EngineersTHE SCIENCE OF

CREATING LEARNING ENVIRONMENTSDr. Liz Simpson. Director, WyoDLC

Main Points

Tools we have available. Needs for dynamic learning spaces. Disconnect between theory,

science, and practice.

GIVEN THE:

Educational Engineers to design effective, dynamic, sustainable,

accessible learning environments.

WE NEED

One who uses tools & materials to connect learning theory and educational research to create a dynamic space where learning can happen and be assessed.

Definitions

TEACHEROne who uses educational research to facilitate learning, assessment, personal growth.

ENGINEEROne who uses tools and

materials to connect theory and create a dynamic space for a

specific purpose.

+

EDUCATIONAL ENGINEER

=

“ ”Educational Engineer

1945 Fear that the educator might be accused of borrowing the prestige of the engineer

W.W. CHARTERS

“ ”1961 Need for standardization, essential structure, programmed teaching

RICHARD ANDREWS

“ ”1967 Increase learning efficiency. GE + Time = The General Learning Corporation.

H.A. BERN

“ ”

1980 Better use of theory research and experience in the design of alternative solutions to educational problems.

John Lutz

“ ”Educational Engineer

2002 Create an environment where students have open access to search for, locate and quickly access elements of learning that address their immediate needs through personalized unique interactions.

ARTHUR RICHARDSON

Teachers Today

K12

Hi Ed

Activity&/or

Training

Teachers @ The Core

EDUCATIONAL

ENGINEER

Determine EducationalGoals

Design learning

spaces to meet the

goalUse the right tools

Use datathe to assess

outcomes

Traditional TeachersTraditional Classrooms

Need for standardization, essential structure, programmed teaching.

Remembering

Understa

ndin

g

Comprehension

Applying

Synthesis

Creating

Creating

Evaluation

Analyzing

Educational EngineersEngineered Outcomes

Create an environment where students have open access to search for, locate and quickly access elements of learning that address their immediate needs through personalized unique interactions.

"Could I build a toy where kids could kind of trip across all these interesting principles of life how it exists and how it might be in the future, like the Copernican principle, the Fermi paradox, the Anthropic principle, or the meaning of life?"

Educational Engineers

Limited Tools

Limited Environment

Unlimited Tools

UnlimitedEnvironments

Cell phones in class…yeah

Right!There is a app for that?

How do I get them to share ideas?

My students never listen!

There is so much content to cover

today!

Frustration Abounds!

Building Classrooms…

A house which could only be explained by magic….

Designs learning environments based on the current tools and materials available.

Systematically builds dynamic learning spaces.

Connects theory, science, and practice. Understands that the world yields

fertile ground for building learning environments.

Educational Engineer

Purposeful. Systematic. Dynamic.

Engineered ClassroomThe environment is thoughtfully build so that learning can occur and successes can be measured.

Preparation takes longer Teaching (BA) + Instructional Design (MA)

It requires Precision planning and design Understanding your new role Rethink learning spaces, materials and

tools Rethink the learner Rethink learner assessment

Educational Engineer

Educational

EngineersTHE SCIENCE OF

CREATING LEARNING ENVIRONMENTSDr. Liz Simpson. Director, WyoDLC