active learning ecosystem workshops · 2019-01-31 · contents include: intent and process identify...

PK Yonge Developmental Research SchoolJanuary 24, 2019

Frank Vastola, Regional Education Manager

fvastola@steelcase.com

Active Learning Ecosystem Workshops

SUMMARY REPORT

Contents Include:

Intent and Process

Identify Priorities

• Defining Active Learning

• Challenges and Opportunities

Focused priorities across

pedagogy, technology and

space

Considerations and Next Steps

Thought Starters

In our Active Learning Ecosystem discussion, we

explored a broad range of educational issues. Our goal

was to help you identify achievable goals to redesign

learning spaces that support and nurture student

achievement and success.

We focused on defining active learning, then addressed

the shifts in pedagogy, technology and space in an

attempt to uncover the anticipated changes for the future.

Within this document, we have summarized the issues

that were identified as the highest priorities.

Active Learning Ecosystem WorkshopSUMMARY

INTENT AND PROCESS

Active Learning Ecosystem Workshop

Using research and insights relative to classroom learning, we engaged in a

workshop focused on opportunities to create an active learning ecosystem

that truly supports student success.

The interactive workshop included:

• a cross-functional team to develop consensus relative to active learning

• discussion and exploration of the paradigm shift occurring in classrooms

• defining next steps to move an active learning initiative forward

Define Active

Learning

Address Paradigm

Shift

Align On

Priorities

PROCESS

A common understanding of

what active learning

environments represent provides

a foundation for addressing the

current paradigm.

Assessing changes in

pedagogy, technology and space

that are needed to achieve an

active learning ecosystem.

Aligning on priorities with the

desired transition supports the

next steps and considerations of

space implications for further

examination.

+

Defining Active Learning

In order to plan for active learning environments, it is important to have a common

understanding of what they are intended to do, look like and require.

Your stakeholders collectively identified some key characteristics of learning as:

• Impactful

• Applying

• Connecting

• Knowledge/Expanding Knowledge

Your stakeholders then identified some key characteristics of active learning as:

• Collaborative

• Cooperative

• Problem solving

• Discovery

• Engagement

• Challenging

• Absorbing

PHOTOS FROM COMBINED GROUP POSTERS

Discovery Exercise – Top Priorities

Each participant prioritized issues within their learning environment and weighted the most important issues.

Your stakeholders collectively chose these top priorities:

• Project based learning – give students the opportunity to learn through authentic project-based learning

experiences

• Innovative practices – support teachers adopting new strategies and methodologies encouraging varied student

learning modes

• Nurturing cultures – nurture a classroom culture that creates trust and fosters creativity

• Density needs – provide physical space that supports multiple and varied learning zones

• The Four C’s – promote creativity, collaboration, communication and critical thinking skills necessary for 21st

century learners

• Express identity – connect students and teachers with your school’s brand to create a sense of community and

pride

• Empower risk taking – cultivate an environment that gives teachers confidence to behave differently

PHOTOS FROM COMBINED GROUP POSTERS

Challenges And Opportunities

In an attempt to build understanding that leads to a founding point of view in planning for active

learning environments, your stakeholders collectively identified the following challenges as

being some of the most significant:

• Inflexible learning spaces

• Learning space resources – “right fit” power distribution, furniture, technology and materials

• Technology “at times” is a distraction

• Lack of collaborative planning space for teachers

• Less that optimal display space (both analog and digital)

Your stakeholders identified some the following opportunities already being leveraged relative

to active learning:

• UDL framework – access to content

• SBG

• Flexible grouping - collaboration

• Project based learning

• Project lead the way curriculum

• Varied learning and teaching techniques

• Use of outdoor spaces

• Professional development and “freedom”

• Faculty collaboration

PHOTOS FROM COMBINED GROUP POSTERS

Identifying Priorities

After identifying the individual and larger group’s issues and goals, the large group discussed which items should be

addressed as priorities going forward in support of an integrated active learning ecosystem:

Pedagogy:

• Peer/coach support for teachers

• Training in advisory

• One advisory curriculum “tailored to us”

• Professional learning on pedagogy that underpins all priorities

• “Buy-in” (all parties)

• Student centered environment

Technology:

• Digital portfolios

• Digital citizenship – student training

• Global connectivity

• Professional learning that allows teachers to leverage technology tools

• Securing traditional literacy

Space:

• “Moveable” flexible furniture

• Room to spread out with visible zones

• Physical space and furnishings that support and enhance multimodal learning

• Space needs to compliment beliefs

• More indoor and outdoor spaces

PHOTOS FROM COMBINED GROUP POSTERS

Active Learning Ecosystem

Active learning is the guiding principle for all of our work at Steelcase Education. This diagram illustrates how we think about

designing for the active learning ecosystem. This ecosystem suggests pedagogy, technology and space should be all be

considered when designing for active learning in all spaces on campus. Pedagogy is purposely placed on top, since it should be

the driving force in learning spaces. Then technology and space-related factors should be considered. The three must be

considered and planned for together, rather than in isolation.

Next Steps

Finally, in addition to the priorities identified by the workshop participants, may we also suggest the following

next steps:

1. Follow up meeting to review summary report

2. Review thought starters that align with priorities (see attached thought starters)

3. Identify any near term pilot space opportunities and start design of learning spaces for new building

LEARNING SPACE THOUGHT STARTERS

1 | Small Node Verb Classroom

CLASSROOM THOUGHT STARTERS

Presentation Mode

2 | Node Verb Classroom

CLASSROOM THOUGHT STARTERS

Group Mode

3 | Node Verb Classroom Tiered

CLASSROOM THOUGHT STARTERS

Presentation Mode

3 | Large Node Verb Classroom Tiered

CLASSROOM THOUGHT STARTERS

Presentation Mode

4 | Small Node Classroom

CLASSROOM THOUGHT STARTERS

Presentation Mode

4 | Small Node Classroom

CLASSROOM THOUGHT STARTERS

Group Mode

4 | Small Node Classroom

CLASSROOM THOUGHT STARTERS

Socratic Seminar Mode

5 | Large Node Classroom

CLASSROOM THOUGHT STARTERS

PRESENTATION MODE

5 | Large Node Classroom

CLASSROOM THOUGHT STARTERS

GROUP MODE

5 | Large Node Classroom

CLASSROOM THOUGHT STARTERS

DISCUSSION MODE

6 | Flip Top Classroom

CLASSROOM THOUGHT STARTERS

PRESENTATION MODE

6 | Flip Top Classroom

CLASSROOM THOUGHT STARTERS

TEST MODE

6 | Flip Top Classroom

CLASSROOM THOUGHT STARTERS

GROUP MODE

6 | Flip Top Classroom

CLASSROOM THOUGHT STARTERS

DISCUSSION MODE

7 | Zoned Classroom

CLASSROOM THOUGHT STARTERS

GATHERING MODE

7 | Zoned Classroom

CLASSROOM THOUGHT STARTERS

INDIVIDUAL/GROUP

MODE

7 | Zoned Classroom

CLASSROOM THOUGHT STARTERS

SOCRATIC SEMINAR

MODE

CLASSROOM THOUGHT STARTERS

PROJECT MODE8 | Personalized Classroom

CLASSROOM THOUGHT STARTERS

GROUP MODE8 | Personalized Classroom

CLASSROOM THOUGHT STARTERS

DISCUSSION MODE8 | Personalized Classroom

CLASSROOM THOUGHT STARTERS

9 | Makerspace Classroom Think Mode

CLASSROOM THOUGHT STARTERS

SHARE MODE9 | Makerspace Classroom

CLASSROOM THOUGHT STARTERS

9 | Makerspace Classroom Make Mode

CLASSROOM THOUGHT STARTERS

10 | Verb Active Media Table Classroom Think Mode

CLASSROOM THOUGHT STARTERS

10 | Verb Active Media Table Classroom Think Mode

11 | Corridor Breakout Space

CLASSROOM THOUGHT STARTERS

TECH BREAKOUT

11 | Corridor Breakout Space

CLASSROOM THOUGHT STARTERS

COLLABORATIVE BREAKOUT

12 | Corridor Breakout Space

CLASSROOM THOUGHT STARTERS

COLLABORATIVE BREAKOUT

13 | Corridor Breakout Space

CLASSROOM THOUGHT STARTERS

COLLABORATIVE BREAKOUT