The traditional approach to learning was based on the industrial model of teaching. What does this mean? This meant that space was arranged linearly, teaching was done from the front of the room, and students were taught things in order to occupy jobs in an industrial based economy. Learning was predominately passive. As we continue to educate and prepare our students in the 21st century, most schools have not changed to reflect and accommodate how today’s students interact and learn.
Where Schools need to be in the 21st century
We are living in a very different world and schools are populated by a very different student. Today’s students are conversing through email and texts, using the internet as their news forum, and communicating with students residing other states and countries via Skype. School’s need to create learning spaces to support the new generation of students. Spaces that elicit social learning in lieu of passive learning. Because, active learning is how our students of today better themselves as capable members of a team and community.
How can this be done
Take your stationary classroom and make it mobile. Adding casters and power to desks and chairs takes the traditional linear classroom into a flexible learning space accommodating all different learning styles and course topics. Lightweight mobile classroom furniture allow quick transitions from row to circle to curved layouts. Elicit socialized learning within the cafeteria. Rid your students of institutionalized rows of tables. Round tables, high tops and booths bring active learning to the cafeteria. Provide school logos on table tops and trash receptacles promoting school pride and a continued sense of school community. New chemistry lab tables, lockers, bleachers, and more can do more than just replace old fixtures. They too can help to rejuvenate a school. Kids will get a kick out of seeing bold new lockers the colors of their school, or when telescoping bleachers are retracted they spell out the name of their mascot. There are a lot of possibilities available, and both kids and teachers will be proud and delighted at a fresh look.
Ready to Help, All The Time
There are times when not every school may have the immediate funds for a lot of renovation, and we understand that. That’s why we work with a quality financing company that may be able to help the process along. Our skilled technicians and staff are ready to help make a school’s renovation a reality so that kids and teachers alike can develop in an environment fit for the 21st century. Contact us and see how we can transition your space!
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