This is another post on learning spaces we have constructed. These images are of a new building that houses years 5 and 6 students.
- The first image is of a large central spaces that facilitates learning in different size groups. There are digital whiteboards located at either end of the room with small banks of computers for individual students. Within this space we have defined some dedicated small group teaching spaces.
- The second image is the central area of the buildingwhich features a series of dicussion pits shaped different so that they are identified by students. There is a large bank of computers to the side for individual students. The whole building has wireless access points for students to use laptops in discussion pits or outside learning areas, still to be completed.
- The third image is again the central area of the building which has a dedicated science learning area complete with heating and freezing facilities, movable display benches, more discussion pits and internal student lockers.
- The fourth image is a discussion pit near a digital whiteboard for teachers or students to use.
Teachers and students are busy creating the learning conditions to maximise these new facilities, which we expect to continue to evolve over time. The central principles remain the same that deeper learning occurs in collaborative engaged communities around rich challenging tasks and resources. Students that continually reflect on their learning based on specific feedback from teachers are better able to take responsibility for their own learning and finally grouping students at their point of need for specific instruction requires teachers to continually track learning and adjust their teaching and feedback.
We are now busy working on substantially renovating very old buildings to provide similar facilities for younger students. Learning tours for parents are being organised in August this year. Other groups need to make appointments.
