Interestingly, they chose a future that was still in the classroom but rearranged the furniture. I think the key element is to have a flexible culture in which there is both a consistency and unpredictability and allow for varied learning environments.
All environments become stale after a while, including the those peppered with bean bags, yet good teachers will try to challenge their students both by changing the physical environment as well as challenging them through concepts and theories. When generating ideas is the focus of the lesson or project, there are better ways than sitting at a desk to be imaginative - just try going for a walk and discussing it afterwards as most people need an 'incubation period' (see Graham Wallas' 'The Art of Thought', 1926). We should be able, as both teachers and students, to take more risks but the tightly structured timetable with hourly lessons prevents against this possibility.
I would like to see a much more flexible curriculum that allows for a combination of lectures, projects, practical workshops, group-work, study-periods and optional activities that develop students' personal interests. Combine this with a simplified core curriculum, work within the local community and work-related experience, tied together with excellent technological facilities (or just a wi-fi system that works) would be a good start towards more independent learning!
Interestingly, they chose a future that was still in the classroom but rearranged the furniture. I think the key element is to have a flexible culture in which there is both a consistency and unpredictability and allow for varied learning environments.
ReplyDeleteAll environments become stale after a while, including the those peppered with bean bags, yet good teachers will try to challenge their students both by changing the physical environment as well as challenging them through concepts and theories. When generating ideas is the focus of the lesson or project, there are better ways than sitting at a desk to be imaginative - just try going for a walk and discussing it afterwards as most people need an 'incubation period' (see Graham Wallas' 'The Art of Thought', 1926). We should be able, as both teachers and students, to take more risks but the tightly structured timetable with hourly lessons prevents against this possibility.
I would like to see a much more flexible curriculum that allows for a combination of lectures, projects, practical workshops, group-work, study-periods and optional activities that develop students' personal interests. Combine this with a simplified core curriculum, work within the local community and work-related experience, tied together with excellent technological facilities (or just a wi-fi system that works) would be a good start towards more independent learning!