Collaborative Learning Environments

Here is some information about Collaborative Learning Environments.

At Oaklands we are excited to be moving towards having collaborative learning environments throughout the school. The main feature of Collaborative Learning environments is strong collaboration between teachers & among students.  Through collaboration we can utilise the collective skills and knowledge of teachers and students and build capacity across the school.  The Reception classroom has been working collaboratively this year and we will continue to develop this model in 2015.  

The move towards Collaborative Learning Environments is partly driven by the nation wide infrastructure renewal announced by the Education Ministry in 2013.  Oaklands School is due for a major refurbishment in 2018 and all buildings will be remodelled as modern learning environments with large, multi-purpose spaces which allow for flexible groupings and greater collaboration.   

The  Reception class at Oaklands School has a number of similarities to Early Childhood Education which makes the transition to school easier for new entrant children.  We have a big focus on the Key Competencies from the New Zealand Curriculum Framework and working in a collaborative environment really enhances the work we can do in this particular area of the curriculum. It also has huge benefits for all other areas of the curriculum as well.  

Below are a number of links to video clips, educational talks, websites and information from other schools about modern learning environments that you may be interested in watching.

Changing Education Paradigms by Sir Ken Robinson

Breaking out of the box - An Introduction to the Principles of Modern Learning Environments

Ed Talks   -     http://edtalks.org/channel/modern-learning-environments

• Considering Modern Learning Environments By Mark Osborne
• Modern Learning Environments: How the research into flexible, open learning spaces translates into action. http://edtalks.org/video/modern-learning-environments-stonefields-school

https://vimeo.com/49879366

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/schools/8635053/Desks-redundant-in-modern-classrooms

Marshland School has an excellent page with Questions and Answers about flexible learning environments

http://marshland.school.nz/2014/05/12/qa-about-flexible-learning-environments/

Stonefields School have a number of excellent videos showing modern learning in practice.

A bit about Stonefields School

Open Learning Spaces - How We Learn in Our Hubs

Learning Hubs

Ministry of Education

Modern Learning Environments