Learning Spaces

Space is a constraint in Singapore.

A man who parked his bike illegally stirred the media last year when he revengefully locked the doors of the National Library after his bike was locked couple of times. NLB said that it posed a danger as a fire hazard, he refuted the argument. Now, NLB brought in the bicycle rakes for users who decide to go green by not using petrol/diesel. hmm...a situation where opportunity arised from conflict perhaps.


On the other hand, one of the first mega schools in Singapore- Anderson Primary School, merged 3 primary schools together was not exactly 'mega' in size. Yet the tiny plot of land in Ang Mo Kio has caused the management to innovatively optimise the use of space/lack of space :) I was marvelled by the use of the white overhead beam along the walkway into the courtyard of the school. Most schools would have installed a overhead television to screen programs, announcements, or other edutaining purposes. They cleverly converted that space into a wide screen projection area. Definitely well utilised to capture attention, many times better than a large screen TV. A simple, little frills, but highly economical innovation.


I recently shared the article "Design of the Learning Space" from Educause Review (July/August 2005) with the Innolab team and DCPD circulated it to rest of directors. Some importants questions as school leaders need to re-think.

What were the "formal" spaces of learning yesterday? How have we changed the use of space today? What do we envision for learning spaces tomorrow?

In my earlier blog entry, I shared how Hellerup Skole in Denmark reshaped learning spaces to be more student centred (rather than activity/schedule centred). I like to challenge educator then to ask: how can we consider the instructional implications of these spaces along our corridors, hall ways and even canteen (would blog about my mini PBL project in next entry) One thing is for sure, our students are increasingly becoming digitally literate (and believe me , I lost countless games on maple story when I play with my 9 yr old niece-her ability to multitask and strategise online is something worth carrying out an enthnography). How should we be concerned then with creation and support virtual learning spaces? Brown stated "Learning spaces encompass the full range of places in which learning occurs, from real to virtual, from classroom to chat room".


To me, there is a pressing need, especially with our small size land area, to study about the driving force within the design process and set our own new benchmarks for progress to be measured. In the article, the authors suggested 4 areas t consider aspects of change- life-cycles, how people learn, technologies for teaching, and students themselves. I would just like to focus on 2 key areas:

How people learn-

1. How would expert learners differ in the way they are engaged as compared to novice learners?


2. How does that impact deeper learning?

The article suggest that expert learners have a more developed scaffold of experience and knowledge that allows them to assimilate and process new information. In contrast, novice learners will "fare better if they reconcile new information with prior knowledge." For educators, I believe this has implication on how we differentiate our instruction in a mix-ability class. When novice learners may struggle with transferring of "problems and data from one context to another", expert learners have greater ease with "reflecting on learning, or metacognition".

As I always encourage teachers to purposefully question the our students learn, it is evident that deeper learning implies a "disciplined perspective" of a practitioner. And beyond the knowledge management, teachers as facilitators need be highly midful that deeper learning occurs when learning is social, active and promotes student ownership. I sense many teachers today are less comfortable with ambiguity in the classroom. I agree that I previously insisted that my teachers have a clear lesson plan. However, that to me is a prerequsite to a good lesson preparation. But beyond that, the teacher needs to clear the collaborative atmosphere in class can only be established if teachers provide prompt and ongoing feedback. To balance between skill set and mind set of a teacher facilitator, a good teacher needs be a reflective practioner! It boils down to unravelling the principles behind PBL, TfU, UbD- which is to identify the meaningful learning experiences and study how we could shape this environment to promote learning. In essence, I think as educators, we need to ask ourselves beyond looking at the instructional needs, do we also consider the learning needs of our students?

The Net Generation -

Face it, I know my students are so much more comfortable with technology than with their teachers, yes, even Mr Yeo :) My ex-students are so much freer to communicate with me via MSN, facebook or even their blogs then to pick up their phone and greet:"Hello Mr Yeo..." (sigh...) Except when one called to say, Mr Yeo, can you attend my wedding! Ha3. The kids today are of the Net Generation and this IS their preferred modes of interaction, communication and socialisation. Our kids love to "augment" with 'formal and informal small groups and discussions". In fact, recalling the first national award that I mentored in 2003, was a group of Sec 3 students who designed a Biology game on SEX-the human reproductive system. Yes, apart from a sexy biology teacher, they had all the skills of designing and programming a splendid digital story- while I had none of their mastery and competence. What I had (then..ha3) was my ability to advise on the content, story board and suggest ideas to make the game more sex-citing. Needless to say, we got first!

I guess it leaves me to ask "What technology skills and preferences do students currently have?" "What skills do they have in future?" "What skills do they need?" and "How will we meet these needs?" Much room for thought.

I welcome post for comments/concerns. For the teachers in Anderson, please share with me how these ideas would change the way you go into your classroom next week? I look 4ward to your thoughts....