Active Learning Part I : Benefits and Unique Aspects of Active Learning Design

LifeStructures Knowledge ANALYTICS

ACTIVE LEARNING

PART I: Benefits and Unique Aspects of Active Learning Design JACKIE BIEGHLER, RA, LEED BD+C SENIOR PROJECT ARCHITECT 02.08.2017

INSIGHT

STRATEGY

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What makes active learning spaces so unique?

The intersection of pedagogy, space and technology creates an active learning environment or space that encourages student-centered collaborative teaching and learning.

Pedagogy The active learning environment provides a form of dialogue between the teacher and student not commonly found in traditional classrooms. The active learning classroom promotes interactive, dynamic dialogue between teacher and student, and even more importantly between students and their peers.

These type of classrooms promote collaborative learning thru flexible engagement with an emphasis on soft interpersonal skills such as collaboration, communication, and presentation. Students are taught to discover, process, and apply their knowledge and experiences in an engaged manner rather than simply attempt to soak-in the lesson that the teacher is projecting.

This form of pedagogy is intended to engage the student thru smaller group interaction while allowing the teacher to have a more intimate dialogue with smaller teams. It also allows the various teams to observe what others within the classroom are discussing and presenting to better enhance the diversity of perspectives offered by their peers.

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PEDAGOGY

SPACE

TECHNOLOGY

Space The Active Learning environment creates an atmosphere that is similar to many real world scenarios which employ collaborative strategies to promote better solutions to real world problems and issues. The flexibility of the classroom layout and teaming opportunities also provides layout variations within various curriculum requirements. This spatial flexibility creates opportunities for teachers/educators to explore options within their curriculum that you typically can’t achieve with traditional classroom spaces.

Because these environments are typically designed to provide a wide range of furniture configurations, the space should be designed to address code compliant egress requirements and movement around and between multiple layout options. The furniture and technology layouts should provide maximum flexibility to the classroom configuration.

Unlike traditional classroom layouts where the teacher and technology are positioned at one end of the classroom and the students are located at the other end facing the them, an Active Learning space encourages active engagement between the teacher and the students. The space will provide opportunities for this dynamic learning to flourish.

ALC 36 STUDENTS (Teams of 3 or 9)

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ALC 36 STUDENTS (Teams of 3 or 9)

ALC 36 STUDENTS (Teams of 2,3 or 6)

ALC 32 STUDENTS (Teams of 2, 4 or 8)

ALC 180 STUDENTS

ALC 35 STUDENTS (Teams of 3 or 7)

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A C T I V E L E A R N I N G - P A R T I | 02.06.2017

PEDAGOGY

SPACE

TECHNOLOGY

Technology Today’s students are inherently familiar with many forms of technological communication, and the incorporation of these forms of communication is a means to better connect with these younger generations. The Active Learning environment encourages a direct engagement of technology within the curriculum. Students are encouraged to utilize the classroom technology to provide a tool to share and present their work. The teacher has the ability to share a comprehensive lesson plan and message, or to allow a group or student to have a more isolated view of their work. This flexible display opportunity allows the teacher to work with the class as a whole, or provide a more one-on-one lesson dialogue opportunity. Because of these visual opportunities, it’s advantageous to have as many vertical surfaces as possible for display screens and marker boards to be utilized.

Because these environments are technology intensive, visibility throughout the classroom is critical. The opportunity to see your work, as well as other’s work, is important in the sharing of ideas. The spacing and placement of these visual devices can either help or hinder the learning process and sharing of ideas.

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A C T I V E L E A R N I N G - P A R T I | 02.06.2017

PEDAGOGY • “Guide on the side” • Student Engagement • Flexible opportunities for varied disciplines

SPACE • Flexible Layout/Configurations • Vertical surfaces are important • Visual & audio collaboration

TECHNOLOGY • Multiple display options • Integrated technology • Professor & Student dialogue

For more information about specific projects, go to: www.bsalifestructures. com/projects/learning 4

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