Week 9 Learning Spaces

• How can space (“learning space”) encourage student engagement and learning?
• What role can Google Apps for Education (GAFE) play in the development of learning spaces?
• What assumptions should we challenge as we design learning spaces for the future? 
• How does The University of Akron's campus currently approach the design and development of informal learning spaces?
• How well do the informal learning spaces on UA campus align with your needs and expectations as a learner? 

Learning spaces, I believe, is just as important, or should be just as important as the content they are learning. A bad learning space can greatly disable a student from learning what they need to be learning. After reading this Article, I have seen just how many design elements that should be incorporated into the 21st century classroom. To begin, the furniture should be able to accommodate numerous learners as well as be repositioned for independent learners. Another thing is that not all students have their iPads or laptops ready, so make sure that the classroom is able to recharge what they need to engage classroom activity. Third, make sure the teacher has access to technology and are smart enough to lecture and teach. Lighting is also important, either dimming or enhancing it is imperative, also to accommodate students in the front of the classroom as well as the back. Another is having physical space beyond just one classroom, and lastly has fewer expansive gatherings. As a future teacher, it is important that make the bet possible classroom setting to engage my students thoroughly. This video, shows just how helpful a classroom setting is to learn. 

Google Apps tremendously help the development of learning spaces. It helps encourage differentiated instruction, especially with more students becoming engaged in online courses and technology in general. On top of that, it helps peers connect with their teachers, as well as each other. It creates more creativity and ideas and helps a classroom develop technologically. 

The biggest assumption  that should be made is that a certain classroom benefits every student. Everyone learns in a different way or setting, so making sure that the teacher knows how each student learns is important. Another assumption is that a physical classroom is the best way to learn. In today's world, especially pertaining to this class, learning is literally everywhere and can happen anywhere and anytime. 

From what I have seen and noticed, The University Of Akron's campus has been making the learning spaces more informal and diverse. No two classrooms are the same. The desks and chairs are always different, the setting is different, and the way my teacher's present their lesson is even different. Even the lounges or hang out places are different. Some have couches, some with high chairs, low chairs, chairs that lean back, etc. The library as an endless amount of learning spaces. They have dividers between desks, small rooms to meet up with groups, couches, individual desks, long and short tables, and in almost every space they have outlets to plug in devices. 

Some classes I learn better in. For example, my one class has just a long row of connected desks with soft chairs, but I have a hard time paying attention and I do not have much room to put my belongings and the desks behind me are so close. It's also hard to communicate with my classmates. The classrooms I learn best in are the ones with a few desks together, so I'm only sitting my two or three other people and I focus so much better and can collaborate with my neighbors more easily. Akron for the most part, has great informal learning spaces because of the many options and really meets my needs as a student.