NASCA Learning Centre
The traditional classrooms are quickly being replaced by a new breed of learning spaces and classroom designs that are evolving in response to shifts in technology. This is not just in terms of physical structure but also in terms of the approach and mindset to adopt to create future-ready classrooms.
Here are some pointers:
Student-led learning
The focus should be on creating student-led classrooms, not educator-led. Get students involved in technology decision-making.
Classroom arrangement
A groundbreaking study released in 2012 found that classroom design affects a student’s academic progress over the course of an academic year by 25 per cent in either direction – positive or negative. Future-forward classroom arrangement is designed to provide the flexibility to support the different ways in which learners can actively participate in class, while instructors serve as facilitators, guiding activities to address and build upon student understanding.
Flexibility
For many schools, becoming future-ready is more than just a matter of getting the right tech in place. Classrooms in an older building might lack the requisite number of electrical outlets and wiring and other infrastructure, for example. The future classroom needs flexibility so it can be easily reconfigured based on the work students and teachers are doing.
Ensure buy-in from stakeholders
This is a project and needs buy-in from all the stakeholders, for operation, funding and technology. The leadership and management teams should be aligned with the overall vision.
Analyse your school’s current situation
It’s imperative to take a hard look at where your school is falling short measure your school against specific benchmarks across all key areas, including research and information fluency, communication and collaboration, critical thinking and problem solving, and creativity and innovation.
Identify the jobs of the future
Creating courses that develop the skillsets required for future jobs is crucial. Many jobs done by humans today will be done by AI and robots in the future. It’s better to train for those jobs that can’t be taken away by machines or outline those new industries that are likely to get created.
Create the roadmap
Teaching and learning outcomes should map the end goal of student-led learning. A professional project-based approach works well.
Create the assessment tools
Assessment should be about ensuring the student is on the path to becoming future-ready. The aim should be to develop productive citizens around creativity, critical thinking and working collaboratively regardless of the career path.
Take community support
There are various agencies and individuals who have the vision and the skill to help schools in their mission. You can enlist their help in fulfilling your mission.
