Comments on: The Learning Studio http://fun7gal.wordpress.com/2008/03/06/the-learning-studio/ ECI 831 - reflections on technology - a whole new world of possibilities Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:27:28 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: rdrunner http://fun7gal.wordpress.com/2008/03/06/the-learning-studio/#comment-123 rdrunner Sat, 08 Mar 2008 22:43:44 +0000 http://fun7gal.wordpress.com/?p=33#comment-123 In the business world, we've called it 'form follows function' to refer to both the structure of the organization and the physical structure. I don't think we have it right in either sphere - we build offices with walls and doors when we want staff to collaborate, and we still line the desks up in rows. I recently visited a state-of-the-art school with a robust network, lots of in-class technology (laptops, projector, smart board), and re-configurable spaces to accommodate learning groups of various sizes. The same week I was at a much older building, limited technology, classrooms that were easily closed from the rest of the building. By now you probably know the end to this story - the first school was quiet, with desks in rows, a computer lab (with tables in rows), and teachers teaching from the front of the room. The second school was noisy! Noisy with learners interacting with each other, with the technology at hand. The teacher was circulating from student to student and group to group. Learning was happening. My message is two-fold: 1. the form of the school building itself does not predict the learning space. 2. teachers can choose to organize the learning space within the building to support a different kind of learning. Get the function right first - then choosing the right form naturally follows. Cindy In the business world, we’ve called it ‘form follows function’ to refer to both the structure of the organization and the physical structure. I don’t think we have it right in either sphere – we build offices with walls and doors when we want staff to collaborate, and we still line the desks up in rows.

I recently visited a state-of-the-art school with a robust network, lots of in-class technology (laptops, projector, smart board), and re-configurable spaces to accommodate learning groups of various sizes. The same week I was at a much older building, limited technology, classrooms that were easily closed from the rest of the building. By now you probably know the end to this story – the first school was quiet, with desks in rows, a computer lab (with tables in rows), and teachers teaching from the front of the room. The second school was noisy! Noisy with learners interacting with each other, with the technology at hand. The teacher was circulating from student to student and group to group. Learning was happening.

My message is two-fold: 1. the form of the school building itself does not predict the learning space. 2. teachers can choose to organize the learning space within the building to support a different kind of learning.

Get the function right first – then choosing the right form naturally follows.

Cindy

]]> By: Alec Couros http://fun7gal.wordpress.com/2008/03/06/the-learning-studio/#comment-122 Alec Couros Fri, 07 Mar 2008 05:06:59 +0000 http://fun7gal.wordpress.com/?p=33#comment-122 Clarence really is amazing. I wish I had the same opportunities some kids have today! Clarence really is amazing. I wish I had the same opportunities some kids have today!

]]> By: Shaun Loeppky http://fun7gal.wordpress.com/2008/03/06/the-learning-studio/#comment-120 Shaun Loeppky Fri, 07 Mar 2008 03:58:06 +0000 http://fun7gal.wordpress.com/?p=33#comment-120 That is a great comment at the end Connie... if I was only one of his students, I know I would be awe....hey I was one of those computer geeks that typed for hours on a Vic 20 just to see a pixelated box face connected to an audio casste recorder say "hello" and that was working with technology in isolation. My guess, is that he is not looking for accolades of his efforts. But he certainly deserves it! That is a great comment at the end Connie… if I was only one of his students, I know I would be awe….hey I was one of those computer geeks that typed for hours on a Vic 20 just to see a pixelated box face connected to an audio casste recorder say “hello” and that was working with technology in isolation.
My guess, is that he is not looking for accolades of his efforts. But he certainly deserves it!

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