RETHINKING HOW

SCHOOLS WORK
STUDENTS ARE THINKING, LEARNING,
AND DOING- DIFFERENTLY


people used to go to a record store and buy a
vinyl record. Now, the whole way people get music is
totally different. Thats the way you are talking about
school, that it has to be done in a totally different
way.
AREAS TO THINK ABOUT


The PHYSICAL- Schools and Classroom design

Bell schedules/ block schedules/ school calendar/
flexible schedules

Re-looking at the curriculum

Roles of the teacher

A NEW VISION OF
THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM
The traditional view of the classroom is changing

SCHOOLS AND CLASSROOM DESIGN




Not Old School: Architecture in Support of Learning
SCHOOLS AND CLASSROOM DESIGN
SCHEDULES AND TIME
SCHEDULES AND TIME
Nuvu Studios Project Based Learning Program in
Cambridge, Mass.

NuVu is a full-time magnet innovation center for
middle and high school students. NuVus pedagogy
is based on the architectural Studio model and
geared around multi-disciplinary, collaborative
projects.
SCHEDULES AND TIME
The studios run 2 weeks at a time
> groups of 10 are with a mentor (doctoral student)
> theme is introduced (i.e. solutions for global
warming)
> the students work from 9-3 solving one problem.
> no grades portfolios document student
decisions and final products
> Example- group of students developed an
affordable prosthetic hand for children.
SCHEDULES AND TIME
Hellerup School in Denmark

>Groups of students are organized by Home Areas
where they meet for 15-20 minute lessons. The rest of
the day they are free to work individually or in small
groups.

>Teachers work together to lesson plan and are
expected to be knowledgable at all levels so that
they can help any student that needs it regardless of
grade level.
Alternative Schedules: A New School Day Dawns


RE-LOOKING AT THE
CURRICULUM
RE-LOOKING AT THE CURRICULUM

Project Based Learning (great emphasis)

> some models: elimination of math and reading
classes.

The multidisciplinary nature of PBL and other
contemporary approaches has brought attention to
innovative designs of the school atmosphere that link
each class and subject matter to one another.

> hesitation to move in this direction, fear of change
> expensive, easier to implement in affluent communities
RE-LOOKING AT THE CURRICULUM
WHAT ABOUT ASSESSMENT???

Effectiveness of standardized testing


PBL and Standardized Testing Can Work!

Alternative Assessments
ROLE OF THE TEACHER
ROLE OF THE TEACHER
Tutors
Masters (expert in subject matter)
Doctoral Students
Coaches
Flipped classrooms> family as educators

>guidance

>not about giving information, but teaching how to
get the information
WEBSOURCES AND LINKS