The Tweeted question above spiked my interest because this is actually what I am thinking about right now. I just ordered some new tables and chairs, but they are high-tops with bar stools. I went from rows when I was in school 15 years ago; to computers at tables around the room in my first classroom; to computer tables, a whole class discussion circular table space, and a set of connected rectangular tables for art project space; and now I am adding the high-top space. We will see what happens and how I change my room once the high-tops come. How have you altered your classroom space to make it more efficient for communication, collaboration, innovation, etc.?
ASCD's Steven Weber provides a list of 5 Ways to Transform Learning Space in his Learning Space Matters post. Anne Taylor provides examples for How Schools Are Redesigning Their Space in her article in Educational Leadership.
6 Comments
I haven't been teaching for that long, about six years, but I have come to realize one thing about the field of education: it is always changing as new ideas are always presented.
So how do we know what is best? Personally, I started my teaching career focusing on the blended learning method; but I was always taught according to the "sage on the stage" method. I had no idea what I was doing but did the best to try something new, as I was told this new method is "what's best for kids". About five years later, project-based learning (PBL) became the new method of teaching and "what's best for kids". The good part is that this new method still involves blended learning, in a general sense, allowing me to feel more comfortable with the change. However, as I roam the hallways of different buildings and hear from other teachers about their thoughts on this new idea, there is a bit of skepticism. Some wonder why we need a change and how students will pass the state/national tests using PBL, others are afraid of the change, some are wondering how much PBL is necessary as they see a few schools promoting 100% PBL, and others are asking an even more important question: how long will this method of teaching be in place? Project-based learning can take an extensive amount of forethought, energy, practice, and sometimes more money than expected, all in order to meet the "gold standard." How long will this method last in our classrooms or buildings in general? How much of our heart and effort should we pour into this method, since there will likely be another method presented and adopted in another few years as being "what's best for kids"? We finally figure out one method, feel comfortable with it, and have our courses mastered, only to be told we need to change again. I understand how many feel. On the other hand, I currently believe in the changes being made. I believe that real-world skills are important, and sometimes for certain students, they are even more important than the content we are teaching. Regardless, I feel like all of it is important and that we just need to find an appropriate balance for each student individually. But again, how do we really know that this method is "what's best for kids" when, really, it hasn't even been around long enough to really know? I would love to hear your thoughts, new teachers to master teachers:
|
Author
Angelina Valvona-Herndon: a high school teacher, blessed to work with at-risk students striving to succeed in academia and the real world. Archives
October 2019
Categories
All
|