Laffan Out Loud - 23.08.2011

24/08/2011

OPEN SPACE LEARNING

There is no mistaking a movement when you see one, schools across the Parramatta Diocese and the country are busy refurbishing buildings, dismantling walls and traditional age-based class groupings and moving en masse into large open learning spaces.

Open space learning—the pros: (An excerpt from IEU Magazine)

There is no denying that we are living in a rapidly changing world and as a consequence schools are faced with some real challenges.

For a long period of time school design remained unchanged, based on the factory model, but now we see a trend where schools are conceptualising their approach to teaching and learning and their physical spaces.

The contemporary school is being characterised by a variety of open learning spaces, flexible furniture, ICT and a number of rich resources.

Open learning spaces have built-in flexibility in design and they aren’t restricted by walls.

Today, particularly with the introduction of ICT (“Information & Computer Technology”), schools are looking at using more open and flexible spaces.

Schools can use spaces to empower their students to want to learn anywhere and anytime.

Students take more responsibility for their learning and movement.

Schools are endeavouring to cater for students’ different learning styles.  In doing this there is a real attempt to personalise learning.  Students and teachers work together.

As you know we have built a brilliant Open Learning Space.  This space is used on a daily basis for a variety of Teaching and Learning activities.

As a community our response to the changing dimension and pedagogy of open learning is to embrace what we see as good practice.  As a community we will need to continue monitoring and measuring student success through their learning in open learning environments.

In 2012 we will be able to apply for a Commonwealth Block Grant.  This will see dramatic changes in our learning spaces in keeping with Educational changes.

As a result, now is the time for us to plan and prepare by looking at different ways we can use the OPEN LEARNING CENTRE.

John Laffan

PRINCIPAL

Posted by Lynne Campbell at 9:59 AM