Learning spaces

Learning spaces, both physical and virtual, are the planned environments in which learning takes place. 21st century learning requires new spaces that connect school, home and community learning, increasing flexibility and supporting learning outside the boundaries of school buildings and beyond the conventional school day. Going beyond the boundaries we have called it breaking down the classroom walls.

Learning is enhanced, deepened and made more relevant when connected learning spaces provide opportunities for:

•  active and interactive participation            •  collaborative project work

•  information retrieval and sharing               •  discussion and presentation                        

• production of new knowledge                     •  teacher and student-led activities

• connection with experts                               •  local and global networks

• personalised learning.

Therefore we need to design  Learning spaces which do have the following;

  Flexibility – supporting 

• space re-allocation and re-configuration.                     

• physical, virtual and  blended learning environments

  Inclusivity – accommodating

 • access and participation for all

 •  local demographic needs

 •  personalised learning.

  Collaboration  – enabling

  • cooperative learning,      

   teamwork and enterprise

  • community, professional    

   and expert engagement

  • local, national and global networks, partnerships and learning communities.

  Creativity – achieving

  •  engagement, innovation and learning

  •  community and environmental harmony

  •  growth of social capital.

  Efficiency– delivering

  • faster, deeper learning

 •  sustainable, cost-effective utilities and delivery

 • effective management and administration.

However some questions still remain on my mind about the concept of learning space or learning environment, and this mainly concerns about  the cost of designing a technology rich learning space , mainly in countries where still internet and technology tools are still very expensive.

Follow  this link   for my video on learning spaces.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMG5FodvajM