7C. Portfolio Assignment
Design considerations for Professional Learning Spaces
A 2011-12 study in Blackpool, England by the University of Salford School of the Built Environment found that light, sound, temperature, air quality, choice, flexibility, connection, complexity, color, and texture can have a huge impact on learning. The study was conducted in primary grades across 34 schools. They found that six of the design parameters: color, choice, complexity, flexibility, connection, and light--had a significant effect on learning. The attention to study light concerned itself with the amount of natural light in the classroom and the quality of the electrical lighting. The study and focus on "Choice" resulted in an understanding that the quality of the furniture in the classroom, as well as providing "interesting" and ergonomic tables and chairs impacts learning. The study also showed that visual stimulation is affected by the complexity and color in the classroom floors, walls, and furniture.
Today, learning is about new learning standards, new understanding of thinking skills, learning how to learn, 21st century skills, pedagogy, learning anytime, anyplace, any pace, and technology. Learning beyond brick and mortar walls is afforded through technology. At the core of these learning shifts are teachers and students. In a professional learning environment they are the educational leaders and the teachers that learn from them. This relationship between teacher and student, whether they are adults or children need a place to interact, listen, engage, and learn by doing. The implication is that our physical learning spaces need to respond to active learning activities. Therefore, adult learning spaces need to model the best possible learning environment and adapt to technological changes that support strong curriculum and pedagogy.
The image on the left is an interesting prediction of how technology may play a role in education. In turn, it will impact the physical learning space.
The following are design considerations for your professional learning space. They are examples of how collaboration around the world is engaged in design thinking to find solutions for better learning environments.
Watch this video from Stanford's d.school as a way to see how higher education is transforming learning spaces that adapt.
The image on the left is an interesting prediction of how technology may play a role in education. In turn, it will impact the physical learning space.
The following are design considerations for your professional learning space. They are examples of how collaboration around the world is engaged in design thinking to find solutions for better learning environments.
Watch this video from Stanford's d.school as a way to see how higher education is transforming learning spaces that adapt.
Flexible and Agile Spaces
Age, gender, curricular content, and activities will vary from workspace to workspace or within varying professional learning spaces. The common factor in all is productivity, which in turn produces learning through higher order thinking skills. All of these will vary from year to year. Therefore, the question becomes "what can I control that impacts productivity and learning"? The answer lies in furniture, noise, lighting, temperature, and spacial arrangements.
A good source for exploring what teachers do in classrooms to create learning zones is Pinterest.
LightingGood lighting should be comfortable for all in a classroom or professional learning space. The study by the International Journal of Business and Social Science found that females were more sensitive to light than males. The study also found that they performed in a different way in different kinds of lighting.
As we get older, our eyes permit less light to arrive at the retina than do younger eyes. Adults can become more dependent on their environment to compensate for increasing frailty and sensory loss. Good lighting is a key to creating successful living, working and learning environment, and is necessary to ensure safety, as well as, well-being, health and quality of life. Advanced quality and quantities of suitable and right lighting can help reduce the effects of normal aging vision and increase the abilities of older adults (Myerson, Bichard & Erlich, 2010) |
FurnitureColorKathie Engelbrecht stated in a study on The Impact of Color on Learning that when introducing color, it is important to address color choices based on function rather than just aesthetics. She states that "Functional color focuses on using color to achieve an end result such as increased attention span and lower levels of eye fatigue." This can factor in when designing presentations that will be the focus of attention for prolonged amounts of time. See the study to learn more.
Other ConsiderationsInfrastructure, electrical, hardwiring, color, signage, presentation surface, flexible, modular, interactive surfaces, workspace - (desktop computing, cut/build, collaboration, conference, lecture, interior/exterior, storage, display, printing/scanning,etc)
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Portfolio Assignment- Identify a challenge, define it, and research a solution.
Choose a comfortable method to observe a professional learning space at your school, district, or county office. Consider documenting observations in Google Docs, recording your observations with digital stills, and/or video. Take a look at the following list of possible items you may observe.
Consider the delivery method for instruction
Example: Collaboration
2. Identify and define the problem with the learning space and how it inhibits or prohibits students from engaging in active learning in the instructional practice you identified above.
Example: The desks are arranged in rows and are very close to each other. Participants have difficulty getting in and out. Participants can not engage in collaborative work and do not have the ability to rearrange their desks to accommodate active collaboration.
3. Choose a design parameter from the list below that can serve as a solution for active learning in the professional learning environment.
Design Parameters: Color, choice, complexity, flexibility, connection, lighting, furniture, spacial arrangements, noise, temperature, technology, work-space, etc.
4. Research a solution around the design the design parameter you chose that would accommodate active collaboration from Section 6D or other resources of your choice. Provide a picture and explanation as to how or why this solution would convert the professional learning space into an active learning environment.
Example: Steelecase Furniture, steelcase.com- This particular furniture is small and and allows for flexible arrangements in the classroom to accommodate various learning activities….Insert image of solution.
Please post your response in the assignments portion of this section.
Consider the delivery method for instruction
- Identify a typical instructional practice (i.e.- traditional delivery, hands on, collaboration, communication, presentation, etc.)
Example: Collaboration
2. Identify and define the problem with the learning space and how it inhibits or prohibits students from engaging in active learning in the instructional practice you identified above.
Example: The desks are arranged in rows and are very close to each other. Participants have difficulty getting in and out. Participants can not engage in collaborative work and do not have the ability to rearrange their desks to accommodate active collaboration.
3. Choose a design parameter from the list below that can serve as a solution for active learning in the professional learning environment.
Design Parameters: Color, choice, complexity, flexibility, connection, lighting, furniture, spacial arrangements, noise, temperature, technology, work-space, etc.
4. Research a solution around the design the design parameter you chose that would accommodate active collaboration from Section 6D or other resources of your choice. Provide a picture and explanation as to how or why this solution would convert the professional learning space into an active learning environment.
Example: Steelecase Furniture, steelcase.com- This particular furniture is small and and allows for flexible arrangements in the classroom to accommodate various learning activities….Insert image of solution.
Please post your response in the assignments portion of this section.