The space that I want to redesign is not my classroom, but our building library. This is a space that benefits the entire building and not just my students. The books in the library have not had new titles since the 1970s. English teachers now have their own personal classroom libraries. The other part of our library houses 3 computer labs that are in constant use by classes in our building. The library is also where you can access our iPad and Chromebook carts. This library redesign would involve students and staff. Teachers use the computers and the work areas with their classes, but we also have conferences and staff meetings in the space weekly. I think right now the way the space in the library is set up is currently an “ individual work” focused environment. Ideally in my redesign, the computer labs will become more user friendly for teachers to use with their students. Right now if students are working on computers, the teachers are very hands off. There are no projectors or ways for them to instruct students while they are on the computers to help them troubleshoot things or show examples. The book titles in the library are outdated. Once they are sorted for anything valuable, it would be in the best interest of the students to get e-readers and e-books for the library to check out. The library could still serve the purpose with books and promoting reading, but in a more 21st century manner. Currently in this space there is a sensible set of chairs and tables. They are very heavy and clunky to move around. In my redesign, I would opt for more “user friendly” tables and chairs that can be moved around easier or even written on (like the white board tables!) I think this would be helpful for students when completing projects. I also think it would be beneficial to staff when working on tasks at staff meetings or department meetings. The library also overlooks over a nice courtyard, but there is no access door from the library itself. By providing an entry point in an out of the media center, students would be able to be safely in the school, but still have fresh air. In some circumstances it would be able to function as an outdoor classroom. I can’t tell you how many times I have students ask to go outside, especially in the spring months. This newly redesigned space would allow for more student collaboration with one another. Which potentially, would lead to more powerful questions and inquiry by students. Considering this library redesign, I was trying to take into account how much of the value in education and in classrooms comes from students questioning what they are learning and creating. Things need to be more open and not as sectioned off. Regarding the addition of the courtyard, I thought it was the ideal way to incorporate natural light as well as fresh air, but within the safety and security of our building. Within their resources, The Third Teacher says “children are ready to learn only when they’re safe and secure, so address those needs before considering any other aspect of a child’s environment.” (The Third Teacher Flashcards) Other outdoor options in our building are well out of the reach of protocols (tennis courts, soccer field bleachers) so I think this is an excellent way to make students feel secure. I think the new layout of the library also lends itself to technology, but that was not my first priority. This library needed to be redesigned as a media center, where students and their learning take center stage and the various technologies available to them and their uses take the backseat. Students need places they feel safe and comfortable in to be able to work and collaborate. Mishra and the Deep-play group (2012) point out “the technical details of the digital world shift continuously, which is part of the problem. Technology over time has always been a moving target, which we cannot hope to hit if we view it as narrowly as that which is just “digital” or “modern (p. 14) If I had solely focused on technology and incorporating that into the library, the redesign would not have been beneficial to students. The best way to see if this does benefit students and teachers, will be to test it out! If students are able to work successfully with one another and teachers have space to move around while instructing and supervising, I would consider it a success. References Mishra, P., & The Deep-Play Research Group (2012). Rethinking technology and creativity in the 21st century: Crayons are the future. TechTrends, 56(5), 13-16. Resources. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://thethirdteacherplus.com/resources
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