Delivered at Innovate Schools 2014, 9 October 2014. *** The use of educational technology inside and outside the classroom is changing the way we teach. New models like the"flipped classroom” have emerged as more effective ways to transfer knowledge and engage learners meaningfully. However, technology is just one aspect of the learning environment in classrooms. In this talk, I touch on the design of physical classroom space, and question the very need for constructs like grade divisions and classroom walls. I touch on examples such as the School of One in New York, visuals of fresh classroom designs and South African experiments, like Judi Francisco's JustBlendit! experiment at Micklefield Primary.

2. Classroom of the Future -
Technology and Beyond
Innovate Schools Conference 2014
Maritza van den Heuvel
Innovation Lab Director, Pearson SA
@maritzavdh
Slides available on Slideshare:
http://www.slideshare.net/sandradeeza/

3. You All Deserve a Badge!
… Last Day, Last Slot!
Classroom of the Future - Technology and Beyond * - Innovate Shools 2014

4. Challenging Our View of The Classroom
● No Technology - (well, almost none)
● Some provocative questions
● Some pointers to research
● Some examples
● Some things to play with :)
Classroom of the Future - Technology and Beyond * - Innovate Shools 2014

5. The 21st Century Classroom - Today
Classroom of the Future - Technology and Beyond * - Innovate Shools 2014

6. What is this?
Classroom of the Future - Technology and Beyond * - Innovate Shools 2014

7. And this?
Classroom of the Future - Technology and Beyond * - Innovate Shools 2014

8. And this?
Classroom of the Future - Technology and Beyond * - Innovate Shools 2014

9. Learning Environment - More Than Technology
● New technologies & pedagogies
● Same classrooms and spaces
● Good attempts - but too busy?
● Depersonalized & Disconnected
● Colourless & Bland (Cold!)
● Primary > Tertiary (Worse!)
Classroom of the Future - Technology and Beyond * - Innovate Shools 2014

10. Learning Space Matters
● Barrett & Zhang - Optimal Learning Spaces (2009)
● Salford University - 34 Schools, 751 kids (2013)
● Environment responsible for 73% of variation
● Attainment impact up to 25% per year
● Inform renovations and refurbishments
● Increase attainment through design thinking
● Peer-reviewed article
Classroom of the Future - Technology and Beyond * - Innovate Shools 2014

11. Factors Considered
Classroom of the Future - Technology and Beyond * - Innovate Shools 2014

12. Some Examples - Classroom Library
Classroom of the Future - Technology and Beyond * - Innovate Shools 2014

13. Some Examples - Workstations
Classroom of the Future - Technology and Beyond * - Innovate Shools 2014

14. Some Examples - Small Group Area
Classroom of the Future - Technology and Beyond * - Innovate Shools 2014

15. Some Examples - Work Desks, Multi-Space
Classroom of the Future - Technology and Beyond * - Innovate Shools 2014

16. Some Examples - Speech Room
Classroom of the Future - Technology and Beyond * - Innovate Shools 2014

17. Where to start? (aka - we have no money)
● Involve the kids! (Design Thinking for Educators)
● Experiment: Micklefield Primary, Cape Town
http://schoolnetsa.blogspot.com/2013/10/judi-franciscos-
amazing-grade-6.html
● BYOD Blended Learning
● Incorporating spatial design
Classroom of the Future - Technology and Beyond * - Innovate Shools 2014

18. BEFORE
Classroom of the Future - Technology and Beyond * - Innovate Shools 2014

19. AFTER
Classroom of the Future - Technology and Beyond * - Innovate Shools 2014

20. A Dynamic Blended Learning Space
Classroom of the Future - Technology and Beyond * - Innovate Shools 2014

21. What did the girls say?
“Normally we would
just be sitting at
desks but we could
sit comfortably with
each other”
Classroom of the Future - Technology and Beyond * - Innovate Shools 2014
“The classroom we
designed was the best
thing. It was warm and
comfortable and easy
to learn in.”
“I enjoyed every
single bit of this
project and I hope I
get the chance to
do it at another
school again!”

22. School of One: Pushing the Walls Out Further
● Personalized Learning = Are grades still relevant?
● Learn Anywhere = Are classroom walls needed?
● Experiment: School of One, New York City
● Teach to One: Math Model
● 6 Schools - Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn
● "100 Best Innovations of 2009", Time magazine
Classroom of the Future - Technology and Beyond * - Innovate Shools 2014

23. Blended Design Approach
● Technology-based curriculum
● Daily adjusted individual learning plans
● No single entry point to curriculum
● No classes - individual workstations
● Flexible learning spaces
● Teachers as coaches, skills focus
Classroom of the Future - Technology and Beyond * - Innovate Shools 2014

24. Reception and Results
● First Year - Mixed Results
● Ongoing Evaluation & Improvement
● School of One > New Classrooms [Vimeo]
● Independent Study: Students gained almost 1.2 years of
growth in math or nearly 20% more than the national
average in the 2012-13 school year.
● Continuing to monitor, enhance and - scale?
Classroom of the Future - Technology and Beyond * - Innovate Shools 2014

25. Takeaways
● Technology is changing the way we teach
● Learning Spaces need to change, too
● The changes could be more radical than we think
● Start small, involve the kids, iterate!
Classroom of the Future - Technology and Beyond * - Innovate Shools 2014

26. Have Fun - Some Links and Tools
● Classroom Architect - Design your classroom
● Making Foam Cubes - DIY touches
● School Furniture Designs Galore
Classroom of the Future - Technology and Beyond * - Innovate Shools 2014

27. More Credits and Reading
● Classroom Designs - Mrs Farmer, Grade 2
● Micklefield Primary Girls - Quotes
● Teach to One Math Study - Columbia University
● Making your classroom a thinking space (PBL)
● Reimagine Classroom Design - Edutopia
● School of One Brochure
Classroom of the Future - Technology and Beyond * - Innovate Shools 2014

28. Classroom of the Future -
Technology and Beyond
Thank You
@maritzavdh
Slides available on Slideshare:
http://www.slideshare.net/sandradeeza/