| Learning
Environment
The
learning environment is very important and there are ways
in which this can provide stimulation for learning:
Celebration
of achievement
Much
of the display in secondary classroom is about the celebration
of achievement which is very positive. Does the work you have
on display reflect the best of the work? Is it clearly marked
in the way that
(i) is positive and encouraging and
(ii) promotes further learning/gives pointers for improvement?
Is
there a range of good work which demonstrates learning can
take place is a variety of ways and styles (and not all just
writing)? Is there the possibility of multi-media display?
Are you using all the available spaces?
Even
given the issues expressed over health and safety are you
using the space in your room most effectively? Is there dynamic
as well as static display e.g.
-
A calendar of religious events and festivals
- A
news board of stories contributed by pupils
- A
thought for the day / week
- A
question of the day / week
- Can
you use the ceiling space for display? Things to hang as
well as things to stick?
Stimulation?
Does
your display challenge or stimulate? Are there images / quotes
/ questions that students could consider or reflect upon?
Are there indicators of how students can progress? Are there
key words or ideas? Are there statements of your values and
aims for the subject?
Seating
and more?
The
ways in which the classroom is arranged is a great support
for the learning methods and styles that can take place. Are
you allowing the furniture to dictate the learning style that
takes place in the room? Do you arrange tables to:
- Rows
- to facilitate a more didactic styles of learning
- Groups
- to allow children to work in pairs, fours, eights ...
- Monastic
- to facilitate activities such as conscience alley / debates..
- No
tables - to allow P4C or "circle of enquiry"
Sue
Phillips has also developed David Hay and John Hammond's work
on experiential RE in her work on the "Theatre of Learning"
using artifacts to re-create an environment to develop learning.
Key
Links
- Download
the Curriculum Briefing on Seating in the secondary classroom
- Download
the Curriculum Briefing on Managing Space
- Download
the Curriculum Briefing on Creative Classrooms
- Download
the Curriculum Briefing on Wall Displays as learning spaces
- Download
an article by Sue Philips on the use of the Theatre of Learning
from the Shap journal
- Read
an article on building a stimulating RE environment
|
