So I checked out Dean Shareski‘s, yes our Ecomp instructor, presentation called “Design Matters”. In it he explored 2 areas of design; Classroom, school and structural design as well as classroom multimedia design.
I really enjoyed Clarence Fisher’s idea of making your classroom a studio. He set up his classroom as a studio and therefore, the role of the student and teacher change. The teacher just becomes one source of information and the students are no longer knowledge sponges, but rather someone who is active and involved. The traditional setup of having the teacher at the front of the room changes to the room being divided into seperate work areas. If we view classroom in a different design hopefully we can generate new and innovative progress from the students.
Later in the presentation Dean focused on classroom multimedia design and I really like his suggestions about this topic. I totally agree that a student has to plan for their computer based assignment. Storyboards or outlines give them a purpose and direction throughout their project. One thing I know I have to work on myself is putting “constraints” on my web based assignments such as power points. I have to practise eliminating parts of my work to put more emphasis on the main idea. This will also be aconept I work on with my future students.
Another good idea is not allowing your students to use templates. Their works will appear to similar and they lose the personal touch they could have had if they did it on their own.
These ideas that were presented are great tips for me in my future career as an educator! Thanks Dean!
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Always wise to promote your instructor’s work whenever you can.
Just kidding. I like the two ideas you’ve extracted…..minimalism and Clarence’s concept of a studio. As a art educator, I’m sure you relate to those concepts and likely know more than I do about them as the pertain to art anyway. I know that they are in general good elements of design that should be in our classrooms as well.