Space, whether physical or virtual, can have a significant impact on learning. In this time of strained state budgets, there is a lot of talk about educational reform. Most of this talk is centered on revising curriculum, exploring new modes of instruction, streamlining articulation of college credits, and bringing transparency to higher education. While these are important conversations, there is very little talk about the space in which the reformed curricula and instruction will take place.
So, the topic of our first conversation is…”What makes an effective learning space?” This month, we will focus on physical learning spaces. Next month, we will focus on virtual learning spaces.
If you were asked to design a classroom to enhance student learning and success, what would this classroom look like? Would students be seated at desks or tables (round, square, rectangular, etc)? How would the seats be arranged (in rows facing forward, in a circle, in the center of the room with activity stations in the periphery, etc)? Is the space high tech (have access to computers)? Is the space high touch (to incorporate hands on activities)? How many students share your space? Let your imagination run wild.
To share your thoughts, please click on the comment link below.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
33 comments:
This is a brilliant idea! I hope it produces some fantastic results!
As a young teacher, we constantly discussed this question in my educational college classes. Research indicates that the ratio of students to teacher should be as low as possible in order to produce effective results. Whether in high school, where the responsibility is more on the teacher, or college, where the responsibility falls primarily on the student, I believe this holds true. The more one-on-one interaction a student can receive the better. Having taught both large and small classes, I believe any class with fewer than 15 people is perfect. Also, like anything the more you do it the better you are at it. I believe that hands-on interaction is the best way to learn. Unless students are personalizing the information, they will never fully grasp the meaning. You can hear something repeatedly, but all it means is that you are memorizing the information. Unfortunately, a lot of times, that is what we gear our students towards-remote memorization for the test. What needs to happen is an internalization of the material through hands-on, one-on-one interaction and personalization of that material. This quarter, I am teaching Reasoning Skills, a class that teaches you to think critically. One of the assignments for this class is Reader’s Guides. Every chapter that is read in the text book has a guide to accompany it. These guides allow the student to take the information discussed in the text and apply it to his/her life, thus personalizing the information. In hindsight, I now know the value of internalizing ALL information given in school, and wish I would have done more of that when I was in college. So, to answer the question, I believe a classroom should be designed where every student has his/her own individual desk, aligned in a circle so that everyone can see each other helping to promote classroom discussions. This allows face-to face interaction and decreases hearing issues. Also , the teacher can be in the center of the circle enabling her/him to access each of the students as need be without fighting tight spaces , chairs etc. The classroom needs to be a high-tech classroom where teachers and students alike can access information. Each student should have his/her own computer so they can follow along. This promotes class interaction, thus increasing learning and decreasing behavioral issues such as dozing off. A great component to add to any classroom is smart boards. As a faculty member, I am very excited to attend the workshops being offered by IT this month (Jing and Clickers). I hope to find more innovative, technological ideas to implement within my classroom.
I would welcome a discussion about dedicated classrooms for specific courses. The rooms' design would facilitate learning for specific classes--where reference books, textbooks, handouts, etc. would be at the students' and part-time instructors' disposal. I envision a pod-like environment where faculty members' offices and part-time instructor workrooms could be the hub with contiguous classrooms supporting the learning process. While this may sound rather elementary school-like, it could encourage faculty collaboration and a sense of community with the students.
Karen Boyd
Communications
Central Ohio Technical College
740-366-9419
I have seen at times when a class room did not give enough hands on learning especially for students who are in the varius fields of like business. If the campuss would install a cafeteria students would be learning hands on on hwo to deal with customers, and how to conduct themselves in a business like manner.This way they will have the skills needed to deal with customers when they complete school and head out into the real world of business.
Would there be any way to change the computer room alittle bit because when I need to use my book and do studies or resarch it's rather diificult to keep a book beside the computer, sometimes if no one is sitting next to me, I will put my book or paper I'm useing on the chair next to me.
In recent years, the size of composition classes has been slowly creeping upward. This has necessitated different classroom configurations that are less than ideal for effective composition learning.
Ideally, a writing classroom should be set up with computers on desks around the perimeter of the room with large tables occupying the center of the room. This allows students to work on the computers while the instructor in the room can see what the students are doing and provide appropriate facilitative guidance when necessary. The tables in the middle of the room provide a place where writers can come together to peer review and edit their work.
Book cases and file drawers in the room can provide storage for hard copy reference sources.
The room should have full internet access and have up to date computers with appropriate software to develop the learning outcomes stated for the communications department at COTC.
My ideal classrom for learning is a small classroom with a small amount of students so that we can all interact as a small group with thoughts and ideas. The reason i picked to have a class discussion is because i am an auditorial learing so i learn better when i hear the professor lecture and it is even better when the students are involved so i can get a better understanding of the topic we are discussing.
Hey! I am very interested with this topic. Me, as a learner am very turned off when teachers just lecture and dont make it fun. Therefor, the ideal learning invornment would be one in which the proffesor would have the latest technology and somehow incorporate that into the lecture. Either by having the students read along to a presentation appearing on the computer, or maybe even showing a demonstration of whatever the lecture is. Also, i wouldnt mind a small class size, so that the proffesor can adapt to everyones needs. Sometimes with a big class the proffesor might not be able to do that. This is my idea of my ideal classroom setting! Thanks for listening!
Krystina
I would like a classroom that forces you to debate the information you are learning about, because discussing what we are lerning helps me process the information better. Also only have a few large tables so the classmates have to sit closer to each other and not cast themselves out by sitting in the back of the classroom (where most of us feel comfortable).I think this will also help people with thier communication skills and help them open up a little bit.
My ideal classroom would consist of 16 students put in groups of four. The groups would work together on assignments and projects. This would help students learn to work well with other students as rarley do you come accross a job where you are working by yourself.
I have always been in the regular old standard classroom set up. Tables or desks arranged in lines. I have never really thought about what my ideal class would consist of. If I could pick the set up, I would most definitely have groups. I tend to daydream a lot, and miss valuable information. I try to help myself but I have never been able to. I think this would help everyone learn in better perspective, learning in every single way. So I would have to say for a moderate sized class, maybe about fifteen to thirty, I would use anywhere from four to eight groups. If it were any larger than that, the group sizes would have to increase.
Esther ogundare
I think learning spaces should fit in to the purpose of its learning subjects matter.lets take chemistry class for instance,when you enter in to the chemistry class,you see poster of living things,other materia that shows that you are in a chemistry class. So should be every class room.
There should be also space for everyone to move about freely,and avaliability of necessery equipment to fasilitate learning.
My ideal classroom would have no more than 20 students. Any more than that and the instructor would not be able to work with each student individually. I learn a lot better if I have a one on one discussion or learning session with an instructor. If you ask many students I believe you would be surprised with how many people love the one on one aspect of learning. Sometimes you have to have the group learning and have discussions with other people just to help with the being use to working with others. There is no job out there that is just you and only you working. You will always be working with many different faces and ethnicites of people. To me that is a great way of learing as well being with people that are completely different than you. You get to see how they do things differently than you do. Who knows you may like their way better than your own and think about considering doing it that way instead of the usual way you do things.
My ideal classroom would consist of a small class where we could work in pairs so that you have that support from another person other than professors. The classroom should have those electric pencil sharpeners for students.Having a smaller class will help people develop better communication skills with their classmates and professors.It is vitally important to be able to discuss with your professor what you think you might need a little more work on.But, with a big class it is hard to get the chance to speak with your professor about the issues your having in that class.I also think classrooms, no matter where they are should have the latest technology.I also think classes should not be focused on only one type of learning style when there are many other learning styles out there.
I would like to thank all the participants that have written. I know I assigned this for my 1413 class as participation, but the ideas and thoughts have been very beneficial. Keep posting.
I feel like the class should have square desks. I also think that students need alot of space, so they don't feel like the room is over crowded. Fifteen students should be the minimum. i think leaning is to pracitce or ask quesions when your in the classroom but unfortunately if you have 25 students in a classroom you may not be able to ask a question.In my writing class it is overcrowded and my classmates complaign because we sit on top of another. So it makes it very frustrating to complete your assignments in a timely fashion.
My ideal classroom is to have 15 students in class. I believe the smaller the class ,the more effective learning will take place.Table and chairs should be arrange in queues.A comfortable chair to sit and square table.Some of the chairs are so small ,you can fall off. Like the one's at room 124 at Hopewell.The clasroom should be spacious and easy access.The temperature also need to be in the 65 and 68 degree.Final,some visaual aides on the wall to create some exictment in class.
In my opinion every student entering college should have to take College Success as a required course.It is invauble in the adjustment to college life.One of the most helpful things that I feel
that benfits the most is learning about all the resources that are available.
The ideal learning class room for me is one that I believe will help the students to learn to the fullest in that class. The design of the class room would have desks in a circle and computer access for each student. Plenty of room for group projects or interaction. Hands on learning and being involved with your class mates is also a very important key to sucess in that class. If you are going to school everyday in a class room where the enviorment isnt enjoyable and all about organization and stucture without any kind of interaction with others, it might seem like a drag to go to that class everyday. Some people would have the motivation because that is how they function and that kind of enviorment is how they don't mind learning. For others though an atmosphere can effect their progress. Luckily here at COTC OSU-Newark, the teachers are helpful outside of the class room too and they do have the resources available and dont exspect you to have to look for these resources, but make them known and encourage you. I think that students would gain alot of personal motivation and skills from others in their class too. By the extra help the professors provide it can then in turn give them the encouragement and tools to help someonoe else out in their class.
I would design a room with no desks,a few medium sized round tables for about 6-10 chairs. I would like some areas with soft comfortable chairs(maybe bean bag chairs). And a table that can have a few laptop computers with wireless internet access.
We need to get away from the standardized room with desks in rows and facing the teacher. Cooperative Learning is the new thing. Lets try something different in the classroom.
If I were asked to design a classroom that help to enhance the students learning and sucess the class would consist of about 12 to 15 students. So that each student could get the attention and help that he/she needs. Then, I would have all of the students desk in a circle around me so that everyone could interact with others easily during all discussions. I would also make sure that each student has access to an assigned computer in the class as well as being able to see the projector screen.
I think what makes an effective learning space is decided by how you learn best. If i were to decide how the class room was set up i would have tables in squares with 3-4 students at each table. That way everyone could see each other in their own group. I think the classroom should have computers at each desk because i feel it is easier to fix a mistake on computers. I would also have less students so that when i need to ask a question i would'nt have to wait in a line to ask a simple question.
I feel the classroom I would design would be centered meaning in a circle, I think when everyone can see the speaker the students tend to learn better,listen more effectively, not to mention participate more. I also think hands on learning is best. I know I learn things better and understand them better when I can acually see the objects and put them together. All these ideas really sound great.amusement goes a long way with education. I also couldnt agree more text and refence as well as resourses also make the facility a better place where students can have the confidence to know there is guidance for themselves to research, also I believe maybe a teaching assistant would also be a good idea sometimes teachers are so busy they dont always have time for a one on one if a assisstant was in the room there would be extra help and less stress for the professors/teachers.
The ideal classroom for me is one where students have to be around one another, get to know each other. I also like small classes. This allows more one-on-one time with students. Hands on learning is my best learning. When i can interact with instructors and class mates I just learn better.
B.J.said.. I believe the perfect classroom would be a small class made up of 10 to 15 students in it.The students will meet what their needs are,because the teacher can provide more one on one with all of us,and or it just makes it easier on both the teacher,and their students per class.I also feel it would be great to have a circular table per class so everyone would be facing each other.This would make it so much easier to do group activities,and gather information from one another with this idea!
I would prepare a classroom design as a round desk and of course with chairs.That way the professor can access to the student easily if the student need help.Small class would be convenient for me because I came from foriegn country. Also, if the professor do a lecture must talk a little bit slow not fast that way I will understand.I think this will help me a lot. Lastly, I am fortunate that so far the professor here in COTC has been very helpful and I feel that I am not alone as a student.
If I was chosen t design a room for student to learn and work in, it would have computer with enough room to put books by to read from or look at. There would be plenty room to move around for the students that need to walk around after awhile as well. But the computers wouldn’t be the normal ones you see every day in school. They will have touch screens and if a student wanted to could stand while working. There would be a place for students to watch videos surrounded be nice comfortable furniture. Along with all of this I would make a small area for students to be able to get food and refreshments.
I think the best way to study is the way the student chooses to and this room will have every way a student would want to. If there isn’t a way a student could learn there will be comment box for more suggestions to add on or take away from the room.
January 19, 2009
My ideal classroom would consist of about 15-20 students. Located in the center of the room would be a large circular table where the students could sit. This would allow all eyes to focus on the speaker and presentations in the middle. I would have tables lining the walls of the room where computers and other high tech materials were located for hands on learning. I feel that this type of classroom would not only benefit auditory learners, but kinesthetic as well.
If I was to design a classroom to enhance the students learning skills, I would have long squared tables, and have the them face the front long ways so that they would hear better and see better.I would ask the students what ways can they learn better and see what I can do better.
i think megan mcwilliams is right the more one-on-one interaction with the student the better it helps them know what they are doing and learning.
my class ideal is about 12-20 student in a class, i also comment that all student should have one-on-one with there teacher. all COTC student should have the aupptnete to have a writing tutor not just OSU student. i also comment that teacher should tell all student their grade every week, i will like to do group work like activites.
Isha B
If i had to design a class room i would construct a room with many colors. I would want students to want to look forward to coming to my class room. Ultimatly just a comfortable enviroment where everything is calm and class could go very smoothly. I feel this blog is a good idea because it really shows how student want there working enviroment to be. Some student would want hands on some would want to work independantly, my preference is hands on. At the end of the day i feel that the color and enviroment of the room can make all the difference.
It's nice to see this blog. I'll come back and visit often.
Post a Comment