Catch a Glimpse of the New-Age Classroom

Imagine your classroom as a blank canvas, where you are not bound by its four walls. Where your students were drawn into learning about a subject from the minute they opened the door, where from floor to ceiling they were immersed in learning. Enter the world of Chris Niven, Head of Professional Practice at Sheldon College. Chris is a passionate teacher of mathematics who has been nationally recognised for his pedagogy, creativity and hard work in designing new-age learning spaces and for ensuring students stay at the heart of the learning experience.

“Looking back at classrooms from 100 years ago, they still have elements that look quite similar to classrooms we have today. This is scary if we consider how much things have changed and how much technology is available” says Chris.

Chris has hands on experience of designing classrooms that push the boundaries of blended learning.  He points out that with the right funding, it is possible to enhance student learning with classroom design and access to technology. "As we reach for this dream of the ultimate immersive learning experience, it is important to make sure we don’t lose the personal touch with students” he says. Chris believes the most powerful learning connections are made, at the personal level between students, teachers, and content. Connections become increasingly powerful when we take the time to think about how to use technology to transport students outside the physical classroom.

Triggering 21st Century Skills

“Recognising what outcomes students need to achieve in order to be relevant in the modern world should be central to the learning experience we are designing” says Chris. The curriculum should continuously be aligned to student needs going forward, to the technology which is currently available and the world we live and learn in. "Think of how learning can start from the moment the classroom door opens, to interactive floors and ceilings. Don’t feel limited to the four walls”, enthuses Chris.

The use of digital tools in the classroom is not just for student learning. Virtual technology, when made available, can be used to help teachers give students access to material that can’t be accessed in the classroom. Chris also shares how he has personally made use of video recordings of lessons and classroom interactions as material for personal reflection.

Chris reminds us, 'the why and how' of what we are trying to design should be pivotal throughout the design process.  A new-age classroom starts from the moment we think, 'how is this going to impact the learning and teaching process?'. Chris explains how in a mathematics class the physical objects that made up the classroom were designed to trigger hands-on learning and encourage risk taking. “A carpet incorporating a number of Maths interactives and problems, a door that used lines on the floor to highlight different angles, or something as simple as standing desks and a Cartesian plane ceiling. These are all day-to-day interactions that can easily be used as a part of engaging with and energising students” says Chris. He adds that technology is only one component of teaching but it is in the classroom where personal connections with students can be established and where valuable learning memories are made.

A curriculum which produces the people we need for the future

Financing classrooms designed to make the future more accessible will always be a consideration. Margo Metcalf Creative Director at International Exhibition and Conference Group (IEC), organisers of the National Education Summit, highlights how “finding information about government spending on higher education is quite easy to access and analyse. However, the financing of middle-school education is potentially getting lost in translation. Our post-Covid world and the pressure on universities to entice foreign students to our shores has resulted in massive shifts in the learning landscape." According to Margo it is crucial for corporate and government to play a part in helping schools design powerful learning environments. "We encourage visitors to the event to join speakers such as Chris, to be challenged and to dream and imagine for a while because these ideas lead to real change in education!” concludes Margo.

Chris will present a session in the Free Seminar Program at the National Education Summit and Education Show taking place at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 August 2022.

View the Free Seminar Program and register FREE to attend.