Is the Classroom Still Relevant in an eLearning Environment?
Transcript of Is the Classroom Still Relevant in an eLearning Environment?
IS THE CLASSROOM STILL RELEVANT IN AN E-LEARNING ERA?
Andrew Tidswell SA Chapter President
Council of Educational Facility Planners International
CEGSA CONFERENCEJuly 2010Australian Science & Mathematics School
100 years ago +
50 years ago
School designSpot the difference
1880
1980
2010
Inner West new school
Learning Environments• The nature of learning
environments has not changed significantly since the 19th century
• Schools are still formal and regimented in their design
• Basically rows of classrooms and other support spaces
• Focussed on a class with a teacher out the fronther out the front
Changing Pedagogy
• From teacher directed to learner centred• Constructivist project based learning• Collaboration and co-operation• Learning in a context of life experiences
• New ICT and wide ranging access to it
What does this mean to the teaching and learning environment?
• Constructivist project based learning
• Collaboration and co-operation• Accessibility of technology• Learning in a context of life
experiences• Opportunities to explore ideas-
not answering set questions• Group collaboration & learning• Creating an environment where
students build on their own knowledge
• Rethinking the role of the teacher
We are still in the Henry Ford production line model of education
The Council for Educational Facility
Planners International (CEFPI) • International organisation
dedicated to the provision of exemplary learning environments for students
• Brings together educators and architects/planners in a unique partnership
• Australasia Region the fastest growing region in the world
• Developing strategic alliances with organisations that have similar goals of improved learning outcomes
CEFPI Australasia Conference Perth May 2010The Mayfield ProjectInvestigations into the school learning environment
The ubiquitousness of ICT
2010• PC• Mac• Internet• E-mail• Mobile phone• MP3 player• iPhone• Laptop • Notebook• PC• iPad• X-Box• Wii• Smart boards• Kindle• etc
1980
• IBM PC• Apple macintosh
The ubiquitousness of ICT 2040• ?• ?• ?• ?• ?• ?• ?• ?• ?• ?• ?
Computers were going to make schools obsolete
Young people integrate new technologies into all aspects of their everyday life.
Students are connected to each other and the world all the time on networks that cannot be controlled by teachers or parents.
Why are we insisting on filling students heads with bits of information that they can insytantly get on Google?
How can we make school learning relevant in this environment?
AUSTRALIAN SCIENCE & MATHEMATICS SCHOOLMODEL ICT LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
PLANNING AND DESIGN BRIEF
ICT DRIVERS• Student home base
ICT workstation• ICT rich environment
facilitating learning anywhere, anytime
• Connection to global community
• Technology to provide meaningful & relevant learning experiences
• Ability to keep ICT at leading edge
AUSTRALIAN SCIENCE & MATHEMATICS SCHOOLMODEL ICT LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
Is the classroom obsolete?Traditionally ICT has been introduced into standard classrooms.Is there a better physical environment for good e-learning to occur?
Is the classroom obsolete?• Is the classroom hindering good teaching & learning?• If you could do one thing to make it better what would it be?• Is the ASMS a good model?
School community like a town community
Is the classroom obsolete?
Do we need traditional classrooms or should we just have a range of other types of spaces and facilities?
What types of spaces?
How is flexibility provided?
Is the classroom obsolete?
CEFPI Australasia 2010 national award winning schools
Dandenong High School Vic
CEFPI Australasia 2010 national award winning schools
Australian Technical College Sunshine Vic
CEFPI Australasia 2010 national award winning schools
St Frances de Salle Primary SchoolVic
CEFPI Australasia 2010 national award winning schools
Bond University Qld
CEFPI Australasia 2010 national award winning schools
Bond University Qld
CEFPI Australasia 2010 national award winning schools
NAB Learning Academy Vic
CEFPI Australasia 2010 national award winning schools
NAB Learning Academy Vic
What can we do with existing schools?
The reality is we will retain most existing schools for decades to comeWhat can we do to make them more learner appropriate?
What can we do with existing schools?
What can we do with existing schools?
• Break up the boxes / take out some walls• Access to variety of spaces• Flexibility in design and use• Learner centred focus
What can we do with existing schools?
Where to from here?
More of the same is not appropriate any more
The learning needs must drive the ICT and the design of the physical environment
Learners will make choices as to where and how they learn best. They do this at home. Schools should provide the same opportunities.
What does this mean for the provision of new schools, the redevelopment of existing schools and the use of ICT in learning environments?
ICT Considerations for schools• What are we trying to teach and learn• Consider the future, not the past nor even the present• Pervasiveness of ICT• The ways young people use technologies• The ways young people learn• Personalised individual learning & group collaborative learning• Integration of technologies into the learning• Technologies available and how quickly they change (superceded)• Wired and wireless networks• Consolidation or dispersal of equipment• Ownership • Storage• Building issues (daylight, glare, power supply, security, furniture)• Flexibility• Physical and virtual learning environments
The physical environment must encourage good learning, creativity, enjoyment and fun