If we teach today as we taught yesterday we rob our children of tomorrow.
~John Dewey
From the Administrative Team:
The administrative team at RMS has given you the opportunity to create the “ultimate” learning space. The space should lend itself to science, mathematics, social studies, reading/ language arts, and elective courses. The budget for this classroom is $150,000. All current resources at RMS will still be available for use in the “ultimate” classroom as well.
We want standard classroom technology to be integrated in the space including a Promethean board, Promethean voting system, a Promethean slate, and Promethean document camera. We expect students to be using their laptops, but also understand the need for desktops in the STEM and art courses.
We would also like for the space to…
- Have a space for the teacher’s materials and workspace.
- Have teacher’s space function as a conferencing area for students and teachers.
- Encourage both group work and independent work while focusing on Project Based Learning units.
- Have equal storage for science departments, math departments, reading and language, and history needs.
My $150,000 budget was spent on the following items:
• 1, 87” dual touch (touch and pen input for quad-touch capability) Promethean ActivBoard with attached short throw projector for whole-classroom instruction, $4,749.
• 1 Promethean Actiview document camera for $400.
• 1 Promethean slate and hub for $330, allowing the teacher mobility from the desktop and the board.
• 1 Promethean ActivExpression voting system to be placed on school server for laptops and desktops, $800.
• 15 dual station desktop tables that fold away the computer to create working tables with flat surfaces, $2,2011.
• 30 stools to be used as chairs at the desktop stations, $2,970.
• 5 digital cameras to be used in the space as needed, $500.
• 2 laser printers, one for the classroom portion of the room and the second in the prototyping portion of the classroom, $600.
• 2 scanners, one for each of the two attached rooms to be utilized by students as needed, $600.
• 30 pairs of safety glasses to ensure safe lab practices are being used in the production area, $120.
• 1 safety glass cleaning station to emphasis safe and clean laboratory practices, $600.
• 300 science fair tri-fold backboards to be used to display projects and student work, $1,500.
• 30 pairs of scissors to be used during project based learning activities as students need, $90.
• 30 packages of markers for students to use as needed, $60.
• 15 packages of construction paper for students to use as they work on projects and displays, $150.
• 4 sink stations, 3 to be placed in the product creation room and one in the classroom portion of the space, $9,108.
• 8, 8’ whiteboards to be placed on the product room walls for students to plan, create, and organize their work, $1,200.
• 10 digital scales to be used in the product lab and by the science teachers while in the classroom, $1,500.
• 1 air compressor to be used for any projects or labs at the teacher’s discretion, $150.
• 4 LogIt explorer (5 pack) computer based laboratory equipment and sensors to be utilized by any project based learning activity or student experiments, $ 5,992.
• 3 packs of 12 stopwatches to be used for any experiment or project needed, $119.85.
• 5 mobile storage cabinets to be used by each department (Science, Social Studies, Reading/ Language, Mathematics, and Electives) for supplies that need to be easily transported between the two spaces, $1,950.
• 30 student chairs to be placed in the classroom portion of the space, $2,706.
• 30 adjustable desks that can be moved into a podium type station allowing students to choose between sitting and standing in this workspace, $20,250.
• 1 school wide subscription to Discovery streaming/ Discovery education to include educational videos, worksheets, quizzes, Lexile leveled science text and many more educational features, $1,000.
• 3 walls of storage cabinets to be shared among all teachers to store the classroom items provided, $3,000.
• 6 robotics kits for students to use in projects and enrichment courses, $6,300.
• $20,000 in reading budget for e-texts and digital copies of books (fiction and non-fiction) to be ordered by the reading coach.
• $10,000 in math manipulatives to be placed in the classroom which will be decided on by the math coach. Manipulatives, calculators, and texts will be in addition to the materials currently offered in the math storage area.
• $5,000 in social studies manipulatives and texts to be decided on by the social studies department based on current needs.
• $10,000 for the science department to order the needed chemicals, replacement glassware, or other lab based products needed to bring our science labs up to date.
• 2 technology coaching salaries at $6,000 each to hire one 5th or 6th grade teacher and one 7th or 8th grade teacher to support their fellow teachers in technology tools available.
• 1 session, 2.5 hours of Promethean training free with purchasing a board.
• The remaining $4,244 is to be put aside for incidentals with supplies, furniture, or infrastructure updates or needs when our 1-1 grant is complete.
(The two spaces are continuous, the pictures should be joined together.)Research Foundation:
According to Leading practice and Design’s article, “The capacity of learning environments to accommodate groups of varying sizes at any one time, to enable ready access to and use of diverse resources, to blend active and passive learning opportunities to stimulate creativity and inquiry, and to provide specialist learning opportunities are all key considerations of functional design.” (Leading Practice and Design, 2009) I believe this statement matches the goals of RMS administration and staff for this new space.
I have created two distinct spaces in the large learning space so it can be utilized by any classroom teacher- one for classroom situations and one for production or lab type activities. To encourage all teachers to utilize this new space I have included cabinets and mobile storage, a lab space for activities, open resources for student creativity, and whiteboards for student use.
I believe the extra cabinet and mobile storage will encourage all teachers to keep their needed supplies in the space. They will also be able to use the mobile cabinets to move supplies between the two rooms without feeling restricted by where their supplies are located.
This proposed design includes a workspace, a product lab, where students can use water, chemicals and other construction type materials without worrying about damaging or harming computer hardware. The desktops are available for use and can be “put away” with the hide-away computer tables leaving plain workspace for projects and construction. The product lab also has manipulatives, construction supplies, and other general supplies for students to utilize, as they feel necessary. By organizing resources in an open ended fashion, students will be able to use their creativity to design their projects and products. The whiteboard walls are also placed in the product lab for students to utilize and brainstorm while learning how to keep their project organized and use their time effectively.
“Functionality of learning space design considers the interrelationship between a range of complementary spaces that will meet the needs of the diverse range of individuals that will occupy the spaces for significant periods of time” (Leading Practice and Design, 2009). This not only means that students will be using the space for multiple class subjects, but also for the four years they attend RMS. To better equip the space for all content and grade levels I have included the “standard technology” for each RMS classroom.
Interactive whiteboards allow teachers to have a whole-class learning space in which all students can participate and observe new content being modeled. Interactive whiteboards are included in each classroom to make rich and engaging lessons that can utilize multiple modes of learning. The article, What the Research Says About Interactive Whiteboards, suggests that interactive whiteboards “encourages more varied, creative and seamless use of teaching materials” (BECTA, 2003). I have also included a document camera to allow modeling and demonstrations to be done in a whole class setting. Students will also be able to utilize the document camera when demonstrating projects, solving problems or learning to use new manipulatives to solve problems. The voting response system is included on each student’s laptop and desktop by placing the software on the school server. The ability to use student computers as the voting system eliminates the need for each teacher to set up the voting system for a child who has already used the system with a different teacher. The voting system also gives the teacher and students opportunities to poll students as they work on class lessons, projects, or surveys giving instant feedback displayed on the board. The slate is included in the Promethean technology to allow teachers mobility as they teach, facilitate or demonstrate.
To emphasize our school goals of being respectful, responsible and safe there are some built in safety features to ensure safe and successful lab experiences for students. The lab includes a safety glasses cleaning station to clean safety goggles in between each student usage and lab safe sinks. Three of the sinks are placed in the product lab while one is placed in the classroom area. Students will be encouraged and expected to practice safe lab experiences during their time in the new learning space.
Butler Community College in Kansas “defines an effective teacher as someone who orchestrates pedagogy, tools, and environment in a way that creates opportunities for students to learn.” (Herman Miller, 2009) The open and available use of materials in the product lab will also encourage students to use their imagination and resources during projects rather than a teacher setting forth required or usable tools. Having science data-probe ware and scales will encourage students to utilize these science-based tools in other courses or projects. Teachers strive to create stronger connections among content learning areas, allowing students the opportunity to use these tools in multiple situations will help students understand the connection between science and other content areas.
Steelcase states 5 design principles that made their environment successful. One of the design principles found successful in this learning environment was the “ability of users to quickly and easily move, store and reconfigure their space”. By utilizing furniture such as hide-away computer tables and adjustable height desks with wheels, teachers and students are able to quickly move furniture into groups, rows, learning stations, etc. based on their current needs. By using the hide-away computer tables students are able to use the desktops if needed or hide them to have a full worktables.
In the classroom area the desks are designed to be adjustable podium type stands where students can adjust to sitting or standing. The adjustable tables also have wheels to help students move the desk quickly and easily, but lock to keep students from rolling during instructional time.
According to Steelcase, when students were standing at mobile and adjustable desks students had 25% increase in right conclusions and a 24% increase in ideas when problem solving. The conclusion states the overall learning experience was enjoyable and rewarding as learners were more inspired by being comfortable and motivated.
Models of practice and modifications to include in RMS’ learning environment:
During the research for the design of this learning space, there were three models that seemed to fit the design RMS was looking for. These were the University of Michigan, Learn Lab and Crow Island Elementary School. Each of these models have design elements that were utilized in the final design along with the requirements from administration and staff.
University of Michigan
In the video from the University of Michigan we would be able to use flexible furniture to create learning spaces that fit multiple teachers and classes needs. We would modify the furniture in the leanring space and use the adjustable height podium desks for the learning space and the hide-away computer tables for the product lab to better fit all teaching styles. Teachers would be able to create groups, rows, circles and perimeter desk set-ups with the same furniture both quickly and easily.
Learn Lab
Like the Steelcase Learn Lab we would emphasize and utilize the need for multiple class arrangements while being able to move quickly and easily so teachers and students are more likely to move furniture to enhance the engagement and student involvement. By using easy to move furniture like the Learn Lab, students are more likely to move the furniture themselves as needed rather than teachers re-creating an entire class arrangement between classes. Like the Learn Lab we will be needing to host many classes with multiple content areas and different age ranges in students so making the podium desks flexible in height creates a more comfortable learning environment for all students involved. It also gives students the opportunity to sit or stand and learn in the most comfortable way for them.
After seeing pictures and videos from Crow Island School in Winnetka, IL our learning space will be using moveable tables to make a more flexible learning environment that encourages students to be in groups, rows, or learning pods. We also are adapting their idea of a workspace room by creating the product lab in our learning space. The large full windows were also inspiring as the new learning space was designed, giving students both windows and a door to the outside of the classroom encourages teachers to allow natural observations and nature based projects.
References:
Architectural record [image] (n.d.). Crow Island school. Retrieved February 15, 2012 from http://rogershepherd.com/WIW/solution5/crow2.html.
British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (Becta) (2003). What the research says about interactive whiteboards. Retrieved February 12, 2012, from http://partners.becta.org.uk/page_documents/research/wtrs_whiteboards.pdf
Degregori, A. (n.d). Reimaging the classroom. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from ERIC.
Herman Miller Inc. (2009) . Adaptable spaces and their impact on learning. Herman Miller research summary. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from ERIC.
Leading Practice and Design (2009). Pedagogy and space; Transforming learning through innovation retrieved February 10, 2012 from ERIC.
National Business Furniture [image] (2012). 72” wide desk with dual monitor lifts. Retrieved on February 8, 2012 from http://office-desks.nationalbusinessfurniture.com/72-Wide-Desk-with-Dual-Monitor-Lifts-60955.aspx?afid=froogle_nbf&mr:trackingCode=5B5358F6-0628-E111-BAE2-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA .
Steelcase, Inc. (2012) The classroom of the future. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from http://www.steelcase.eu/en/resources/knowledge-library/pages/theclassroomofthefuture.aspx.
Steelcasetv (poster)(2011). Steelcase learn lab-design story. Retrieved February 14, 2012 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnU58hbYN1M.
Steelcasetv (poster)(2011). University of Michigan-case study. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbo1paLtYHk&feature=related.
