Flexible Classrooms and Pedagogy

Changing classroom layout will have no impact on learning outcomes without changing teaching practice. but there is evidence emerging that flexibility and student ownership can improve learning outcomes.

WHY SHOULD STEM BE SPELLED WITH A BIG ‘A’ IN THE MIDDLE?

Feversham Primary Academy in Bradford explains why.

MAKER SPACES – the Key to Innovation

  https://cdn.psfk.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2-guy.jpg     Makerspaces are creative spaces located in communities, schools, and public and academic libraries. These areas are designed to engage participants in hands-on activities that teach twenty-first-century skills. The emphasis in makerspaces is placed upon educating students in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects as well as digital and information literacy. […]

Delightful transient transparent small space

Stinessen Arkitektur’s ephemeral set of accommodation units in the Steigen Archipelago off the coast of Northern Norway is a delicate imposition, yet bold, dramatic and contrasting. 

Aldinga Beach Childrens Centre collects Fly Forbo Award

The Children’s Centre at Aldinga Beach has been selected by Forbo Flooring Australia at the State winner of the Fly Forbo competition.   Forbo states that the “Fly Forbo competition was created to reward outstanding design and complimentary use of Forbo product in one”.  Aldinga Beach Children’s Centre was “Highly Commended and Best in State”.  http://www.forbo.com/flooring/en-au/fly-forbo/p53p6g

How important is play?

The ability of a child to live their life positively and creatively is significantly increased with the opportunity for quality play in early years.  Their are also broader and quantifiable societal and economic benefits. “One of the under recognized but crucial biological functions of early play is the development of self-regulation, a skill difficult .to teach but […]

Neuroscience boosts student well-being

The ABC published this story about Broadmeadows Primary School in September …Only when one feels safe and feels that one belongs can one begin to learn… http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-08-31/melbourne-school-using-australia-first-nearo-science2c-to-boos/6738758

Danish school design for Russia – ‘Smart School Meadow’

CEBRA a danish architecture firm has won a design competition for anew school in Irkutsk, Russia.  The 49 acre campus area hosts a circular complex of different learning, administrative and accommodation facilities with a ‘meadow’ in the middle.  This facility provides for 1040 students and 400 staff.   The complex consists of a pre-school, junior school and high […]

Housing competition in London

New London Architecture, the capital’s built environment think-tank, has today (15/9/15) released 100 ideas aimed at solving the London housing crisis, the result of an international ideas competition. – See more at: http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/project/2015/25905/new-london-architecture/new-london-architecture-housing-competition-in-london.html#sthash.lY68o7ur.dpuf

Norma Rose Point School in Vancouver

Here is an interesting documentary video of the development a learning environment in Vancouver designed by  Fielding Nair International.     https://youtu.be/yBFc_3apnZ4