Is It Expensive to Transform Schools into Learning Tools?

A school designed to be an interactive learning tool sounds like it would cost much more than the generic traditional school. This doesn't have to be the case. Every school building has the potential to be a powerful learning tool. Transforming a standard learning environment into a dynamic teaching tool can be as simple as a bit of paint marking the length and height of walls.

Replacing a standard ceiling tile with a piece of transparent plastic is another way to create a learning opportunity. There are numerous potential lessons above our heads. A teacher could design a lesson around the insulation or heating and air conditioning that would be visible were a ceiling tile to be made transparent.

In the cafeteria area, simple design tweaks could create an opportunity to teach the students about safe food preparation and proper nutrition. When an architect sees the design of a school as a potential teaching tool, the possibilities become endless.

Personal Learning Environments - Fiction or Future?

Personal Learning Module

Personal Learning Module - Can existing schools adapt to become laboratories for personal learning? 

With the increasing availability of portable lessons and educational opportunities outside the classroom, one of the challenges that communities face is how to transform traditional schools into exciting personal learning laboratories.

The study module picture was designed for middle and high school students and can be located in what was once a traditional media center. The media center can be transformed into a interactive, collaborative space that has the opportunity for various levels of engagement with students and teachers, from large groups to individual "pods" that can be customized to each students emotions (color changing LED) , learning styles and interests.

The Learning Environments Studio (LES) at McAllister & Associates Architecture is committed to exploring new solutions for schools to be transformed into dynamic learning labs for tomorrows students.