Hi parents,
During this term we are looking at different design options for the upcoming rebuild of our school. A basic explanation of a Modern Learning Environment or MLE is that rather than single cell classroom, we have larger spaces that more than 1 class of students will work in. Less walls and more "open plan" teaching and learning. This will mean that students will work with more than one teacher and in terms of the space, won't have their own desk and tray which in turn will not restrict them from always working in the same place.
Already in our class we have moved the furniture and desks around to try to create different learning spaces and so far it has been working well. Having more than 30 students in one space will be a challenge for teachers and students and will mean that we have to change the way we work and learn.
What I would like from you is some feedback from you as parents to help us move forward. I have told the students that they can sit alongside you (your choice) while you write your feedback and I encourage you to be as open, detailed and critical as you like.
You may wish to comment on space size and layout, noise, the classroom logistics, teaching styles, learning styles, technology, furniture and storage in your feedback.
Your child will direct you to the comment area to post your feedback.
Thanks for your support.
Kind regards,
Matt
Friday, 14 June 2013
What Do Our Parents Think Of The Modern Learning Environment??
Posted by Room 4 and 3 Quarters at 3:58 pm
Labels: Modern Learning Environment
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19 comments:
Mum thinks: "The Modern Learning Environment is a fantastic education for the students. I think that it is a good idea to have recourses and technology that will help the student with their work and homework ext. I think that it would be great to have attractive furniture around different spaces of the room, but not too much furniture around the room as it is always good to have space and sit down on the ground. Other than that it might be better if the classroom did not have a lot of glass but that's only regarding to the case of the students safety. That is all I have to say, all of the other equipment and stuff around the room seemed fine to me. :)
Mum: Putting some computers in the room can help the teachers and students to browse or search things from the internet to learn more about the topic they have been discussing.Little area in the classroom that has bookshelves and sofas where students can read and relax.
Dada says:
The MLE sounds very interesting. MLE has some advantages, when things go well and two or three teachers work together; students will have benefited strengths from each teacher.
However, that is based on teachers have good relationships and understand each other well. We need to consider that things could not go well. Students may be confused when teachers give different instructions. For the students who have concentration difficulties, MLE may affect their learning and the environment will probably be a bit too noisy and there might be too many distractions.
In conclusion, although a very good idea, MLE will bring more challenges for teachers. MLE require teachers to not only think of the students of their own classes, but also think of other teachers and students in other classes.
Dad: I think the modern learning environment is a great idea. Different spaces for different activities will give a wide range of opportunities for the kids. In some scenarios they might want to change where they sit and how they want to work. So this project takes it to a whole another level.
Mum:I think that the modern learning environment is a very good idea. More instresting furniture and diffrent spaces and do all other diffrent activities around the room. its gonna be great when they finish.
Mum: I think its a good change for the students and teachers because new stuff means students will have stuff to look at and play with and new learning spaces means better learning and a better school. Plus i think when its done the school will look better and the kids will get better learning chances and that will lead to better jobs in the future.
Mum & Dad: Sounds like an interesting idea but hard to imagine it working in practice. Noise levels and distractions may soar if more children are sharing the same space. I think Children also need to have a desk or a tray, or bond with a particular group of students or a teacher. Where would children hang their bags or keep their books? I think this may lead to confusion and ineffective learning. Why try to fix something that's not broken? Unless perhaps this change has been made elsewhere and achieved better results.
Mum said: The Modern Learning Environment sounds interesting. I think it goes along with the trend of inclusive education movement. I believe it will work well in terms of child centered learning. The wide range of opportunities will encourage each child to face different challenges. I hope this project will be a success!
Mum said:As an experienced home educator with children under five years old where the physical environment is viewed as the third teacher. For example as the Reggio Emilia approach to young children's learning and development I believe that this Modern Learning Environment would also benefit older children by encouraging them to work together in a large group where they can learn from each others individual expertise and interests. Also would make the teachers think about more about the resources which are available for the children to explore and learn from.
mum said"It's always great to have a new well designed creative space and I think that the students will enjoy the change. Open planned shared spaces will allow students to benefit from the teaching styles and ideas of more than one teacher;this is also good.
However, I do wonder if some children benefit from the security and safety of their own desk, work space and classroom? we'll just have to wait and see!
Mum says:
New challenges are always good but usually require a settling in phase to adjust into. I think once this phase passes this environment could be a positive move. The positives being:
learning from different teachers can bring out other qualities in the children
adjusting to regular changes can encourage the children to think on their feet and create solutions to deal with change
The down side will be the challenge to keep focused and potential noise levels being distracting.
Where will they store their work books if no desk?
Watch this space huh?....
KarKeat's mum thinks:I think the children would be more social in a 60-90 children classroom.This idea is very interesting.
KarKeat's mum says:I think its a great idea but they would have to get used to no desks since they have been having their own desks for the past few years.Also wouldn't it be really loud in the classroom since there are about 60-90 kids inside?But overall I think this a great idea!!!
my mum said sounds a interesting place to learn and would like lots of space outside
My mum thinks that the modern learning environment is a great idea it will let children move freely and learn in a better space.
Mum thinks:
I think it is very good and a great way to learn. It is a lot better than what we had! :D
Mum thinks:
I think the MLE is a good idea but it will be very chaotic with 90 students.
FRANK & PARENTS THOUGHT….
PROS.
1. OPEN SPACES GIVES THE ABILITY TO ENGAGE WITH A TEACHER WHO MAY BE PERCEIVED BY STUDENTS AS BEING MORE BENEFICIAL TO AN INDIVIDUAL’S LEARNING
2. STUDENTS FEEL MORE FREE WITH NEW OPEN SPACES – MIGHT HELP STUDENTS WHO ARE EASILY DISTRACTED TO WORK WHILE MOBILE.
3. RECLINER CHAIRS & BEAN BAGS (FOR COLOUR) COULD BE POPULAR
4. JIGSAW STYLED TABLE SURFACES FOR WRITING ON – INTERESTING SHAPES FOR ASTETICS
5. MOOD LIGHTING OR APPROPRIATE LIGHTING FOR EACH SECTION TO SET THE TONE OR AID VISION
6. STORAGE SHOULD BE OPEN AND ACCESSIBLE PERHAPS WITH ONE OR TWO STUDENTS GIVEN RESPONSIBILITY FOR SECURITY OR SAFETY FOR ANY PARTICULAR DAY? TRUST IS KEY. LOCKING THINGS AWAY OR BUILDING WALLS IS PERCEIVED AS NEGATIVE.
7. BREAK DOWN BARRIERS – NO WALLS TO SEGREGATE – TRUST IS OPEN RATHER THAN HAVE A PARTITION BE FUTURISTIC & HAVE STRIP OF BEAM LIGHTS THAT CAN BE COLOURED DIFFERENTLY – PEOPLE CAN WALK THROUGH – NOVELTY IDEA. ELECTRICITY & MOVEABILITY COSTS???
8. COLOURS SHOULD BE CHOSEN ACCORDING TO THE PURPOSE OF THE AREA…PERHAPS STUDENTS HAVE A SELECTION CHART THAT IS MADE UP OF SUGGESTED COLOURS FROM STUDENTS & THEN TABULATED TO FIND THE MOST POPULAR CHOICES
9. HAVE AUDIO/VISUAL EQUIPMENT PLUS AN AREA WHERE KIDS CAN LISTEN & ENJOY MUSIC – HEADPHONES ETC
CONS;
1. STUDENTS MAY PREFER OWN WORKSPACE – ALLOWING GREATER FOCUS
2. WHAT RESEARCH IS THERE TO SUGGEST LARGER CLASSROOMS ARE BENEFICIAL?
3. HOW WILL ONE TEACHER COPE WITH KNOWING THAT KIDS PREFER OTHER TEACHERS IN THIS NEW ENVIRONMENT?
4. SOUNDS EXPERIMENTAL – DO WE WANT TO TAKE THE RISK?
5. HAVING 30 PLUS KIDS ALL MOVING ABOUT COULD BE CHAOTIC
6. WHAT PROOF WILL PARENTS RECEIVE THAT THIS HAS BEEN A SUCCESS OR LEAST IMPROVED OVERALL LEARNING CAPABILITIES.
Its all good if the teachers can keep an eye on interactions and stop some kids bullying and hassling and distracting others. Not convinced at this and how the school handles this at all.
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