What do you think defines a learning space? Is it determined by the teacher’s desk at the front of the room? Where the whiteboard lives? Most refer to a traditional classroom when thinking of a learning space. However, a learning space really is wherever learning takes place. This could include indoor, outdoor, and other unique spaces. Learning happens all around us. I was able to observe and analyze a unique learning space right on Michigan State University's campus.
The learning space I observed consisted of grass instead of carpet, the sun instead of fluorescent lighting, and noise instead of silence. At first as I sat down to observe the space I found myself asking, who/where is the teacher? It wasn’t clear on who the students were lead by. After locating who appeared to be their fearless leader I felt facilitator would be a better term to describe him. My second observation was the various languages I was hearing. I love observing a space where multiple cultures can thrive and are observably respected. The trees were swinging in the breeze and the sun felt warm and inviting. The students were running relay races with various tasks to complete as a team. I saw every student on their feet either running the relay, excitedly awaiting their teammate, or encouraging the next one. It was impossible to not notice the teamwork, multiple strategy usage, and exciting nature of the learners. As an educator, when I see this level of engagement I undoubtedly note every aspect of the situation, the space being one.
Another obvious piece I noticed in this learning space was the volume level. This was in an outdoor environment, where the volume could be louder, and the learning could follow a more constructivism approach. As a result of active participation and self-directed learning, the learners were experiencing a change in understanding and development. Out of all this noisy activity, learning was happening. One might say curriculum content was not being taught in this space. My response to that thought would be, why couldn’t it? Constructivist would say if the material/content is student-centered and students are using teamwork and problem solving skills to build new knowledge, then the space allows for powerful learning.
This learning space like most included parameters as the orange cones, a common starting point for all students, and trial and error methods at work. I believe a space that allows for all these aspects produces a successful learner, making this a successful learning space, according to the constructivism learning theory.
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