iPads, MakerEd and More in Education

Educational environments have been stuck for far too long.  For decades, we have settled for beige concrete boxes. Little natural sunlight and fresh air.  Desks arranged in rows because it makes for the most efficient cleaning, rather than asking what makes for the most productive learning environment.  Our libraries are boxes with walls lined with shelf after shelf of books, but the space often doesn’t encourage talking about them. We have heavy wooden tables that can’t be moved easily. Because the space is so immobile, we encourage sitting and passivity.  This sort of environment keeps activity to a minimum, even if the adults don’t express it.

When educators and designers get together to write a book on learning spaces, amazing things happen.  Many books on learning space design focus on lots of gorgeous photos of expensively renovated school environments, language to use with architects or projects that are amazing, but not always easy to replicate.  The Space takes a different approach.  There are many beautiful pictures to be sure.  But this book is more about creating a new mindset.  A mindset that focuses on intentional design and putting your students’ needs first.  What I love about this book is that it can apply to any educational space, be it classroom, library, makerspace, lab, etc.  And the ideas are doable on any budget.  Here are some of my favorite takeaways: