Rwanda July 2011 Photo Series 1

Rwanda 2011 (contd.)

What if we could bring architects, computer companies, furniture designers, builders, philanthropists, leaders, educators, students, creative thinkers together in one place and time. What if those people could focus their skills and talents on the needs of the developing world. What if we could make a difference!

Can we create an environment where the collision of great ideas shapes a solution? 

Rwanda 2011

I have taken on a challenge. How might I contribute to changing the education experience for children in the northern Rwandan region of Musanze - at the foothills of the Volcanoes NP and the home of the mountain gorillas.

How might I place the needs of the schools in this area on to the world map?

It’s early days - but I am thinking of locating an ‘Open Space’ conference in the region - a conference that workshops ideas to help address the challenging needs of the schools.

Thinking a title for the conference might be something along the lines of ‘International partnerships for transforming learning in developing nations’.

from 'Settings for Learning…a stimulating delight' - Philip Idle

I have recently had the great pleasure of visiting Northern Beaches Christian School(NBCS) in Terrey Hills, a northern suburb of Sydney. Under the visionary leadership of Stephen Harris, the change management over the last 6 years has seen an incredible transformation take place in the pedagogic, virtual and physical spaces at the Sydney Centre for Innovation in Learning (SCIL), the research based organisation playing out its mission at NBCS.  Walking through the school was a refreshing experience full of amazing settings for learning where children of all age groups are engaged, confident with their place and enjoying collaborating with each other.

It’s about integration and opportunity in providing different settings for learning – integration of ubiquitous technology, a myriad of furniture designs focused on various groupings, opportunities for clever design solutions that turn a staircase into a place of creativity, a wall surface into a seamless whiteboard, and a feeling of calm interaction between staff and students. I would challenge everyone with a passion for understanding successful learning environments to visit the school or study the publications or browse the web resources available on this amazing example of a truly 21^st century learning environment.

It is wonderful to be stimulated by such a rich experience in visiting Northern Beaches Christian School!

Read the full article in:

http://nvision3.com.au/blog/settings-for-learning-a-stimulating-delight/

The circle lounge - a really successful innovation. 12 segments. 1 class. Students love it. It can be reconstructed in seconds to form multiple groups, rather than the whole group. Why shouldn’t classroom furniture look different?

The circle lounge was our answer to creating something fresh for one part of the Zone (Years 5 & 6 learning space). UFM Solutions @daviegordon helped turn our thinking into reality. The challenge - create furniture that can within seconds transform a space into ‘campfire’ conversation mode (whole group focus time), then just as readily be used to become multiple ‘watering holes’ (small group work) and if needed, quiet ‘cave’ space (independent learning). It works brilliantly. We’re about to add some table trays that will sit on the back of the inner circle, providing writing or mobile device space for those that prefer something on which to lean.