Teaching and learning models reflected from the physical form: the downside of 21st century school classroom designs

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Title: Teaching and learning models reflected from the physical form: the downside of 21st century school classroom designs
Author(s): Barron, Deirdre
Abstract: Current research into 21st century schools focuses on student-centred pedagogies, problem-focussed and group-oriented curricula, and changing educational technologies. There has been a growing interest in classroom environments (furniture, flexible and purposeful spaces, technologies etc). Such research has highlighted the limits of our existing school facilities. What has been less considered is the limitations that the proposed new school facilities have embedded with in them. This presentation draws on the research which has been funded by the ARC Linkage Scheme with partner industries: DEECD, Bialik College and Woods Furniture. The results of this research demonstrate that existing school furniture is improperly sized for primary school children with the [potential of causing musculotseketal disorders including kyphosis, lordosis, scoliosis plus lower and upper back, neck and leg pain. Other results suggests that visual environments may expose children to long-term risk from products to the external as well as indoor spaces are significant and indoor air quality (IAQ). I also discuss the issue being faced by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEEDC); that school community facilities pose difficult questions about facility management, governance and accountability. Effective longer-term use and management of such facilities depends upon planning and upon models for partnership, consultation and negotiation. This includes negotiation between educational authorities and local communities, through participation in operational matters. It also includes partnership and negotiation between government agencies (state, local and federal) and between government and third sector organizations. The results from this research raise important concerns for the current Building Education Reform directions and ways Architects and school communities are implementing the Federal Government agenda.
Publication type: Seminar, speech or other presentation
Research centre: Swinburne University of Technology. Faculty of Design
Source: Paper presented at 'Exploring the connection between school design and contemporary learning', the School Planning, Design and Construction Forum, Melbourne, Australia, 21-22 July 2009
Publication year: 2009
Keyword(s): Education; Learning; Models; School design; School planning; Teaching
Publisher: Informa Australia
Publisher URL: http://www.informa.com.au/conferences/education/school-planning-design-and-construction-forum