January 21, 2019

On Learning Spaces with Dr. Robert

48 minutes

Episode 029, Dr. Robert Dillon: The Space

We’ve covered what we teach, and how we teach, and why we teach… but we have never really talked about WHERE we teach. So today, enjoy the insights and inspirations of Dr. Robert Dillon. In this interview, we discuss the research behind where we learn, how we can put this research into practice by making small changes to our environment, and strategies for keeping this top of mind as we move throughout the school year.

Connect with Dr. Robert Dillon

Website: www.drrobertdillon.com/ | Twitter: @drrobertdillon

Connect with Vrain Waves

Twitter: @VrainWaves | Becky Twitter: @BeckyEPeters | Ben Twitter: @mrkalb

Links & Show Notes

David Thornburg - 3 archetypal learning spaces (05:45)

Campfire, Watering Hole, Cave

Cooperative Learning Structures / Kagan strategies (07:09)

Quiz, Quiz, Trade

Intro to Dr. Robert Dillon (09:46)

The Space, the book - co-authored by Dillon & Rebecca Louise Hare

St Vrain’s Innovation Center

Why Space Matters (11:32)

Movement, choice, active engagement (12:30)

John Medina’s quote: “If you wanted to create an education environment that was directly opposed to what the brain was good at doing, you probably would design something like a classroom.” - from Brain Rules

Designing Learning spaces (14:01)

Optimize the perimeter

Color, Clutter, Visual Noise = distraction

“We always have control over less in our classrooms.”

Strategies to declutter (14:50)

Do I still need that anchor chart?

Ask students every 2 weeks

“Where our students learn matters. Are they guests? Or are they collaborators? (17:04)

Steelcase (19:10)

Steelcase research on Education spaces

University of Melbourne research on ed spaces: LEaRN (Learning Environments Applied Research Network)

Vanderbilt on Learning Spaces

Interaction Geography (20:03) - how people move through the space

Example

The need for Quiet (21:05)

The cost of interruptions (Washington Post, Forbes, Fast Company)

Bob’s favorite learning spaces (24:08)

What’s on the walls? (25:26)

More images of students doing the work vs the ‘perfect’ finished products

Process over product

Accelerant for classroom management (28:02)

Rocky Mountain Elementary

Open Educational Resources (29:49)

OER Commons

Engage NY math curriculum

What are the verbs for your space? (31:29)

Hacks for improving space (33:01)

Natural light; simulate nature

Use visual displays to do so

Balance ‘green time’ with ‘screen time’

Classroomscreen.com

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) (34:50)

7 principles: Equitable Use, Flexibility in Use, Simple and Intuitive Use, Perceptible Information, Tolerance for Error, Low Physical Effort, Size and Space for Approach and Use

#LearningSpaces on twitter / instagram & Flexspace.com

How to keep up with these things (40:57)

“Release trapped wisdom into the system.”

To learn more: drrobertdillon.com; @drrobertdillon on twitter

Reflections from Ben & Becky (43:31)

Suzy Evans - teacher clip on assessment-capable learners & using space during assessment (45:21)

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By Suzy Evans, Shane Saeed

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