A colleague of mine wrote on his blog about spaces. The spaces in which we learn.
How important are they how do they impact on the way we learn?
Do you think they have any bearing on the student or adult learner?
Our children at Ashley have the standard box with a roof to learn in. Opportunities are coming to be able to develop outdoor learning environments as well.
Our students already do their best to learn up trees!( Except when an over zealous tree surgeon gets stuck in)Who is to say that climbing a tree doesn't provide the stimulus for better learning.
What would be the ideal learning environment for your now as an adult and what would have been the ultimate as a student ?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
About Me
- Principal's Page
- Rangiora, Canterbury, New Zealand
- I have been Principal of Ashley School since 2002 and I am still learning my job.I am married with 3 children. I have a love of educating children to the best of their potential. I enjoy Rowan Atkinson, Ricky Gervais, cycling and all other sports.
This post makes you think, in fact I've been thinking about it for over a week now.
ReplyDeleteI've seen inside those boxes your teachers work in and as I recall they were perry damn good at creating little learning 'areas'. The challenge, is teaching the kids or encouraging them to learn where they are best suited.
My kids are not so aware of what they need, so I describe my observations, while watching them doing their homework.
One child needs absolute silence and total focus, but can cope with lying on the bed.
The other copes very well with background noise and can do it anywhere because she is particularly responsive to interactive and busy environments.
Once I pointed this out to them they were more willing to take my suggestions for the choice of spaces permitted for homework time.
Reading?
Well, once again, one will drape herself across anything, the other will make herself comfortable on a chair or on the bed.
Adult learning? Just as important to become AWARE or what and where will spin your wheels. Think outside the box and try different situations, I reckon. I use to plan lessons on my couch at home, no good, not creative enough. Once I was in the garden or the classroom surrounded by flowers and weeds or children's artwork I could create fantastic units of work. But it did take me some time to work this out. Thank goodness I eventually reaslised and accepted this. I just wish I knew this stuff during my university days :-)
I used to take my class outside to learn quite often. For example, when writng poems about autumn, we would go out to ignite the senses in a real context. I think it is important to stay in touch with 'the real world'. Of course expanding the walls of one's classroom can come in other forms aswell, such as through the internet and the use of digital technologies, which are increasingly becoming part of 'the real world'. It can create exciting learning opportunities and connect students to other people and places without having to leave the classroom. Not that I am advocating a life spent hidden away from 'the outside world'. Rather, I feel that by connecting in this way it only encourages children to want to get out and explore 'the real world' for themselves.
ReplyDelete