Ed Tech Blog
This may be less of a blog post and more of a discussion initiating question, but here goes:
We know it is exceptionally important to have instructor involvement and buy-in when designing new active learning classrooms. The reason- the design has to align with the instructor’s goals and pedagogy in order for it to be effective and successful. Instructors who are entrenched in traditional teaching methods will not utilize active learning spaces in the way they were meant; this could result in awkward and ineffective spaces.
My question is simply (and perhaps not as simply answered) how does your institution encourage instructor involvement in the classroom space design and technology integration for modern active and blended learning rooms?
Share your thoughts below or
Designed for small group spaces and large flex areas, FSR's HuddleVU furniture line offers three table options, with a variety of user configurations available. Created based on demand and feedback from end-users, the HuddleVU furniture offers ADA compliant seating, can be incorporated into any room decor. Customizations are quick, as all manufacturing and assembly is performed in the US.
The honest answer is “not exceptionally important.” The reason, however, may surprise you. Many schools have sustainability initiatives in place that cover a wide variety of campus life processes from printing and food services to facilities and grounds keeping. While technology is an obvious environmental concern, that concern is usually a result of the amount of electricity that the products consume (especially when accidentally left on overnight) rather than the make-up of the product or the length of the electronics’ life-cycles.
The AV industry has done a pretty amazing job over the past few years developing and manufacturing products that can contribute to a more energy efficient technology installation. Many consider energy efficiency to be the most “tangible” characteristic of green tech installations; producing the highest monetary pay-off. Some of the new standards of professional AV equipment include “eco mode” where a product will reduce energy consumption (while also reducing output or performance), and network visibility to remotely control and schedule use of the product (i.e. turn on/off when not in use). For many AV electronics, being energy efficient is no longer a marketing spec for which the product price increases. It is necessary to be a player in the...
Read more: How Important is “Being Green” In the Classroom Technology Decision Making Process?
I originally posted this on rAVe [Publications]...
I recently wrote an article for EdTech Digest called “Keys to Engagement: Connectivity Challenges in a Technology-Rich Classroom.” In it, I outlined some challenges and solutions common to modern learning spaces, but which are often not at the top of mind when designing or installing room equipment.
One of the ideas I brought up was that “aside from aesthetics, cable management and connectivity can determine if the technology in a classroom is intuitive and easy to use or cumbersome and not being used at all.” While true, this is not the only factor that detracts from the use of classroom technology. There are a number of reasons teachers and professors may not use the well designed and helpful equipment.
Lack of training
Of course this is the most obvious. It can take months to complete a room integration project. But once the installation is complete and the technicians are gone, the project is not done. The users have to be trained on the new equipment. Even if you (as a techie) know how to use it, doesn’t mean the end users do. Simply- if they don’t know how to use it, they...
Read more: Breaking Down Barriers: Making Sure Classroom Technology is Used
This is my son’s first year in High School (yes, I just admitted that). Last week I attended the “curriculum night,” which is a full evening of meeting his teachers by studying his schedule and trying to traverse the very full of parents hallways of the high school before the bell rings and you are late to the ten minute course overview. The night offered so many distracting flashbacks that I actually cut out of 5th period, went to the diner and never went back. Just don’t tell my son.
One difference, however, between his high school experience and mine is that every one of his classrooms has interactive board technology in it. I was thrilled to see the district understand the importance of using technology to enhance learning through collaboration, stimulation, activity and creativity. Allowing students to coordinate activities with the teachers is a powerful tool. Taking a closer look I realized something was strange about the set up. In three of the five rooms I sat in, there was either a desk or a lab table IN FRONT OF the board. Making it quite difficult for students to walk up to the board and use it.
Are...
Why Collaborate?
Collaborative spaces in education trickled down from corporate “flex/open workspaces.” They were designed based on the understanding that interactivity and collaboration in small groups produces stronger solutions that would have not been reached individually and encourages sharing of research for enhanced learning. Further, it encourages trust building, communication, practical learning/ application, acceptance and enhances problem solving skills.
These rooms are relatively inexpensive, usually not exceeding $6,000-$10,000 for the entire space.
Collaborative Learning: Support for the Expanding Trend
Collaboration affects personality: increases openness, conscientiousness, agreeableness, trust, interactivity and stability
Teamwork strengthens community bonds, socialization and communication
Collaboration increases measures of achievement in educational settings (assessments)
Where is the Collaboration Space going?
Educational clients are moving toward pre-packed, expandable, scalable and future-proof systems. The more flexible with regard to space, users, time to access and connectivity, the more useful, efficient and effective the space will be.
Aside from education, the huddle space began in flexible office spaces in corporate environments- for the same reason explained above and will continue to grow in this market. The definition of a huddle space seems less defined in this market because individuals are using them for smaller meetings and video-conferencing collaboration as well-
Read more: Get in the Huddle: Summarizing Small Group Work Space