Learning Spaces that Inspire Students

This summer I had the opportunity to teach a graduate course on technology integration in an
experimental classroom and a collaborative classroom. I have been thinking much about effective design of learning spaces for a while now and using these two designs helped me evaluate how rooms could be arranged to foster collaboration and sharing. The teachers in the course stated that they wished they had this type of learning space in their classrooms so students could sit in a variety of groupings to work on projects, all the while able to see information projected on screens. To meet standards more and more we ask students to collaborate as they ask questions, research, and report learning. Having a space facilitates working together, sometimes sharing devices, can make this process more natural for students.

So what components should be considered when designing a learning space? I propose the following: 1. Movable furniture.  The experimental classroom had movable chairs with rollers to allow students to work in a variety of groupings by simply sliding the chair. The chairs came in a variety of styles from overstuffed, to hard plastic, all with cup holders and side writing tables to slide up when needed. The collaborative classroom provided chairs, tables, whiteboards, and projection screens all on wheels so groupings can be created as needed for each learning activity.
2. Large HD TV screens with Apple TVs on each wall. No matter if students turn their chair to the side to work with a partner, or turn it completely around to work in a small group, every student can see the screen at all times because there is a screen on all four walls. Groups creating projects can project their work on the nearest screen using the Apple TV so everyone in the group can see and contribute to the work as it progresses.
3. Internet access for student devices. Every student brought multiple devices into the class each day. It was important that the room had adequate wireless Internet capability to  provide fast access for all devices. Students used laptops for setting up accounts and writing longer pieces, tablets for taking pictures and making videos, and phones to connect with each other.
4. Writable walls. All walls become writing surfaces. As groups form around the room, students can write ideas on the wall spontaneously during brainstorming, then analyze and organize ideas on their devices to present.

On May 20, 2016 Education Technology presented Introducing the 'Classroom of the Future'. They propose that we should build classrooms to include space for student programming, interactive screen walls, interactive desks connected to the cloud, solar windows to reduce carbon footprint and save money, and open space for students to interact with holograms in virtual reality.

As school begins, how will you arrange your classroom? Consider what learning activities you will involve students in, then create a space to make that happen. Build the thought behind "making" into your learning space to empower students to build and create innovative designs to solve problems. Those first days back in the classroom can be exciting this year! Please share a picture of your learning space that inspires students!

Using Technology to Relate to Youth

I just returned from New Orleans where I attended the National Youth Gathering. 25,000 high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors came together from across the country to learn and grow together. The organizers of this exciting conference knew how to connect with teenagers using a variety of social media sites, apps, screens, websites, and other technologies. Beginning with the opening night program in the Super Dome as captured by colleague Donna Lucas students participated in the music and shared personal responses to the message using Poll Everywhere. They were further challenged to take a survey using their mobile devices, receive a reply that they could take the following day to a booth to receive a button. Universities were thus able to connect with interested youth without having to input handwritten information into an online database, and students could visit and have questions answered when they visited the booth.

When I asked a student the following day if he knew any people in his high school who don't have an iPhone he quickly responded, "No." Everyone he knows has a cell phone that connects to the Internet. Then I asked at what age students get phones and he replied 5th or 6th grade, but his brother got a phone in 4th grade so his mother could connect with him. She just put some restraints on the phone to keep her child safe.

Knowing that each of these high schoolers would come with a mobile device and many social media connections, this conference engaged students throughout. Huge TV screens projected speakers and musicians so all could see clearly, the Offline App connected students to the performed music so each device lit up in a rainbow of colors and light, all 25,000 students could respond individually to questions posed to the whole group using Poll Everywhere and responses were displayed on a huge screen in the venue in real time, Twitter quotes were displayed by presenters as sources to support their ideas, and participants tweeted using the conference hashtag along with daily topics so they could share pictures and ideas beyond their individual groups. Technology connected these students beyond the mass gatherings into their many hotels, interest centers, recreation activities, and mission work throughout New Orleans. Learning about the violence in Baton Rouge through newsfeeds, these amazing students donated 200 units of blood which were sent immediately to assist with the police shooting that happened simultaneously with the conference.

And these students will continue to connect beyond today as they left the conference to go back to their homes across the country, because they are connected with shared experiences. Via social media these students will continue to make a difference in the world as they collaborate virtually, and hopefully reconnect in college and beyond.

What can we in education learn from this experience? I share three thoughts.
1. We can make use of the devices that students already carry to school for learning, getting us to 1:1 more quickly.
2. We can use social media in positive ways to connect students and share ideas with the world.
3. We can empower students to impact society positively by following news events and reacting to help.