Learning Environments

"A school’s perimeters are no longer the only place students learn. Kids are learning about the world from their homes, from the community, and anywhere it’s available to them."Learning Environments

       Learning space can encourage students to engage and learn in a new way because these spaces can be innovative, interesting and encouraging for learning. In this day and age the learning environment looks different for every student. For some students their ideal learning environment is a classroom filled with electronics and technology that can help keep them engaged. For other students their ideal learning environment is a room with entirely white walls that helps them to focus on the information that is put in front of them. Either way learning is encouraged in these environments because it helps the students to remain on task according to their needs. Also comfortable and inviting learning environments help the students to keep engaged because it feels like a second home.

      Google apps for education are a good tool for both teachers and students. These apps can merge physical spaces together and they allow students to choose their own tools for education. Students can use something that they are really good at to help and promote the education of other students. There are tons of apps out there that help students and teachers to promote physical spaces for students. Dr. Bruek explains it in great detail that is very helpful to future and current students!

"Who says the 21st Century classroom has to be a single room?" Designing the 21St Century Classroom

      Designing the 21St Century Classroom is much different than the classrooms of earlier years. Students are needing more and more to keep them engaged and we must keep up with those ever changing needs. In the modern classroom you need to choose desks that support the students every need. Whether it be working in groups or taking a test, students desk need to be able to change according to the current task. Having plenty of charging outlets is also very important. Not all students will have their electronics charged which means we must provide a means to do so. We must also have teachers that are willing to teach using the newest technology along with schools that are willing to purchase these things.

      As stated by Dr. Brueck in Digital Learning Spaces The University of Akron has many informal learning spaces that are innovative, collaborative and useful for its students. One thing he brought up that I thought was important is that the library is essentially open 24/7 365. With the use of online technology we are able to log on to the library at any hour to use its resources. Also, he said that the desks and tables in the conference rooms are very innovative and useful. You are able to move the desks to use them in many ways. The University of Akron also has many informal learning spaces in almost all of the buildings. You can usually find somewhere quiet and calm to study or just take a break. these spaces for very beneficial to students.

     These informal learning areas at the University of Akron are very helpful to me because I love a calm, quiet area to study or just simply take a break. Also, in the library there are rooms that you can meet with others and use for a study group or a place to work on a group project. I use these different areas often and they are very beneficial.