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Schools need to innovate both instruction and learning space to make themselves relevant to digital-native learners. Here is my concept of an ideal learning space. This is designed for middle and high school classrooms.
Note that the layout is teacher-centered. However, this is done intentionally to facilitate making instruction student-centered.
Please let me know what you think by completing the embedded form or by commenting below.
I love your classroom layout and have much the same in my grade 1 room. I found it useful to cut the legs shorter on some of my tables so that the students can sit on the floor at the table. It helps with the moving of chairs around the room and if you don’t have enough chairs.
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I love it, Nicole! Thank you for reading.
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Very nice. I love the flexible nature of the design. I am looking at materials from SteelCase for maximum mobility and flexibility. Honestly, I am thinking of moving 1/2 of my class sessions into the Learning Commons (and not simply because the cafe there makes excellent hot chocolate, but it doesn’t hurt).
A very talented teacher once told me the best place to record voice is your closet because clothes absorb background noise. Think about how schools are just the opposite – large open spaces with hard surfaces for sound to bounce off. Your issue is tough. Could you collaborate with a music teacher who might have a good space for recording sound? Could your media center set up a recording space?
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I’ve wondered about creating a recording “booth” by lining a box with egg cartons and setting it on a desk with the open end to the speaker and a place to prop the recording device inside. They just need to lean in a little.
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I got great advice for screencasting from a lady I met at a GAFE Summit. She suggested putting a large cardboard box on a desk with the microphone inside. You can line it if necessary. The student records their voice by leaning into the box, as someone else has suggested here. It’s handy because you don’t lose line of sight but still get the benefits of a “quiet” space. That might help?
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Daena, that is a great idea! That would fit in a great learning space for sure!
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Love the comments! Thank you for your feedback!
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Check out Diana Sullivan’s awesome learning space:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1duJJoPeI_k4N5AchU5tOxZXrrYPZ417eGQ/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/19dM0C95AwGMj5rZDX4cF-UlYIVy_637Mmw/view
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This looks great. I particularly like the standing desks – I would love to incorporate that more here. I’m intrigued by the reading bikes – I’ll have to look into that? Do the kids get much reading done??
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I haven’t been in a school with them yet. I would love to try them. This is my ideal learning space so it incorporates things I’ve seen in use and things I would like to see.
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[…] Source: 21st Century Learning Space […]
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Tom Mullaney 
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