Our Classroom Spaces

The traditional teaching spaces we have are very much the same as when I went to school.  Sitting at desks either in a group or individually in lines.  With the coming of the ipads we are looking at our classroom learning spaces.  Are we truly catering for individual needs???  We constantly talk about it but ask our students to sit in a certain way,  at a certain desk or table,  at a certain time.  This needs to change.  It was very exciting to see what other schools were doing with their furniture as they were upgrading their classroom spaces.  I saw how students could choose whether they were lying on the ground, working at a desk, snug in a bean bag or standing by a high table.  Truly catering for individual needs and learning styles.  Plenty for us to look at for our new classroom layouts.

We are now exploring low lying tables for those who wish to sit on the floor and rest on a table.  Ottomans for those looking for comfort, cafe style tables for those who wish to work around a small circular table, swiss balls, study booths for those needing focused closed off spaces.  This is very exciting to create an environment that will allow students to work in a they feel comfortable.

Inovation???
Exciting???
What else is there???

Maurice Rehu
Still Very Excited Principal
Riverslea School
Hastings

Up date so far...

As the news starts filtering down through out team and B.O.T the realisation of this opportunity is beginning to take affect.  People are being contacted for advice and services.
As a team we are exploring what an e learning school would look like.  What role will pen and paper play when we have Ipads?  What of our current furniture? will traditional desks be suitable?  So many things to think off.

When we finished our staff meeting, there was a feeling of excitement, and nervousness.  From the reactions, I felt we were ready for the challenges ahead.

Maurice Rehu
Nervous and Excited Principal
Riverslea School
Hastings