The Council of Educational Facility Planners: Recent Comments

Comment on E-Series: Designing Learner-Centered Classrooms

Christopher Grimes — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 17:02:56 GMT

This was good reinforcement of our SDSU class. The topic was one of my favorite in the program and I had a teacher trainer from our District join me for the presentation. This I hope will be the beginning of a new approach to integrating our facilities and ed specs as we begin our next new comprehensive high school.

Following the presentation we had the opportunity to discuss the SW region research projects, CEFPI and the impact of facilities on learning.It certainly helped to spark the conversation by having you both here in my office for 1 1/2 hours.
CG :)

Comment on E-Series: Designing Learner-Centered Classrooms

Irene Nigaglioni — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:35:17 GMT

Thanks Margaret. This was a fun topic to work on, and it is nice to hear that the informnation was helpful.
I loved that loft as well!!

Take care,

Irene

Comment on E-Series: Designing Learner-Centered Classrooms

Irene Nigaglioni — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:34:13 GMT

Patrick,

I wholeheartedly agree with you. Susan and Andrea's class was so exciting to me, and I learned a bunch. Since the class, I have continued to study the subject as I find it so relevant to what we do everyday.

Irene

Comment on E-Series: Designing Learner-Centered Classrooms

Irene Nigaglioni — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:32:57 GMT

Dennis - I have not heard of any research on size of rooms. However, I agree with Susan that it may be underway, as so many folks are using learning styles in their instructional delivery. I know furniture companies have spent a considerable amount of effort in designing new furniture to respond to this, but I have not heard about anyone taking it to the size of rooms. This may be a great topic for a CEFPI funded research project.

Irene

Comment on E-Series: Designing Learner-Centered Classrooms

Susan Rundle — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:45:43 GMT

Dear Dennis,

I think it would be most useful to know about most appropriate size of learning space to accommodate the diversity of learning styles in the classroom.

The Dunn and Dunn Model has been in use for more than 40 years, which is how long we have been taking many good and not so good spaces and turning them into classrooms that support diversity of learning. Irene pointed out her slide that identified the different areas one could design and plan for in a classroom.

I have to believe research is being done somewhere. Perhaps Irene is aware of that research.

Thanks and best wishes, Susan

Comment on E-Series: Designing Learner-Centered Classrooms

Susan Rundle — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:42:06 GMT

Dear Margaret,

We appreciate your comments. I especially found your thoughts about making a connection between the learning environment and the student's ability to learn real to you.

You will find a great deal of useful information at: www.learningstyles.net. Much of it is free. I too love the learning loft!

Best wishes, Susan

Comment on E-Series: Designing Learner-Centered Classrooms

Susan Rundle — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:38:28 GMT

Dear David,

Thank you for your positive comments. I am pleased to hear that some of the information between our two presentations may be useful. I would love to know if you are able to incorporate how students learn into the space planning process.

Best wishes, Susan

Comment on E-Series: Designing Learner-Centered Classrooms

Susan Rundle — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:34:48 GMT

Patrick,

Thank you so much Patrick. I am glad you were able to join us yesterday.

I hope you are doing well and I look forward to our paths crossing again.

Best wishes,
Susan

Comment on E-Series: Designing Learner-Centered Classrooms

Dennis Bekken — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:05:12 GMT

Very interesting presentation. In our design work today we are dealing with flexible learning spaces. This just helps clarify why we and the teachers we are working with are always trying to squeeze different areas for formal and informal learning activities.

I would be interested to know if research is being done on most appropriate size of learning space to accommodate the various learning styles. The biggest obstacle facing us today in implementing flexible learning space is tightening budgets, Department of Treasury standards and administrators not familiar with these factors and resisting larger instructional space.

Comment on E-Series: Designing Learner-Centered Classrooms

Margaret Manley — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 08:40:29 GMT

I was very pleased with the quality of this presentation and it's relevance to school design. It really made a connection between the learning environment and the student's ability to learn real to me. It is just as important to understand a student's learning style and preference as it is their level of knowledge. I will be asking our curriculum staff a lot of questions about how they are applying learning styles within our school district. The examples that Irene shared were very helpful in beginning to adopt this information. I just loved the learning loft!