Building Learning Environments: Why Learning Environments Matter
Building Learning Environments: We will provide flexible learning environments that promote purposeful collaboration and a balanced educational approach to create inspired 21st century learners.
Schools all over the world look eerily (or interestingly or even sadly) similar. In October 2015, the Guardian posted an article entitled, "Schools Around the World in Pictures" found here. Take a moment to open the link and scroll through the photographs. They say that a picture says a thousand words and I agree, which is why I will let you draw your own conclusions about the similarities that you see.
In addition, schools in America look very, very similar to what they generally look like today:
This is not a knock on the classrooms of today, but it does show clearly that schools, and especially learning spaces, haven't changed with the times. We should all be asking the question of whether the environments, furniture, lighting, etc. meet the needs of today's learners in preparation for their futures. We should be forward-thinking and anticipate the future structural and building needs.
The physical learning environments should support the goals of the school. Many different groups have discussed and debated what the most important skills are for creating a community of inspired learners in the 21st century. The following, known as the 4C's, are acknowledged as vital to future success of our current learners:
Collaboration
Communication
Critical Thinking
Creativity
According to a fastcompany.com article about the top jobs in 2025 from March of 2016, the following will be important jobs:
Technology and computational thinking
Caregiving
Lifelong learning
Social media and new media literacy
Adaptability and business acumen
So, in looking at these lists, and if schools are preparing kids for their future, we need to create learning spaces that support this goal. I'm excited that Pleasantdale 107 is making this a priority, and I look forward to the future for our students in our schools.
Schools all over the world look eerily (or interestingly or even sadly) similar. In October 2015, the Guardian posted an article entitled, "Schools Around the World in Pictures" found here. Take a moment to open the link and scroll through the photographs. They say that a picture says a thousand words and I agree, which is why I will let you draw your own conclusions about the similarities that you see.
In addition, schools in America look very, very similar to what they generally look like today:
| 1800's |
| 1916 |
 |
| Today |
This is not a knock on the classrooms of today, but it does show clearly that schools, and especially learning spaces, haven't changed with the times. We should all be asking the question of whether the environments, furniture, lighting, etc. meet the needs of today's learners in preparation for their futures. We should be forward-thinking and anticipate the future structural and building needs.
The physical learning environments should support the goals of the school. Many different groups have discussed and debated what the most important skills are for creating a community of inspired learners in the 21st century. The following, known as the 4C's, are acknowledged as vital to future success of our current learners:
Collaboration
Communication
Critical Thinking
Creativity
According to a fastcompany.com article about the top jobs in 2025 from March of 2016, the following will be important jobs:
Technology and computational thinking
Caregiving
Lifelong learning
Social media and new media literacy
Adaptability and business acumen
So, in looking at these lists, and if schools are preparing kids for their future, we need to create learning spaces that support this goal. I'm excited that Pleasantdale 107 is making this a priority, and I look forward to the future for our students in our schools.
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