Learning Spaces Design Newsletter

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LEARNING SPACES DESIGN NEWSLETTER

This is the fourth newsletter from David Jakes Designs, LLC. This issue is focused on classroom design. To get started, I'll discuss what I have learned about reshaping classrooms in Creating the Classroom Spaces That Schools Need. This post describes 13 things to consider when rethinking these spaces. 'Additionally, I'll share a learning space case study of a unique space in Ohio called the Synnovation Lab and what I think it means for classroom design, learning, and the experience of school. Additionally, I'll provide you with some unique resources that I think can help inform you about classrooms and their design.

Version #4 also includes an announcement about my upcoming book, The Design Thinking Classroom, which launches in January 2023, as well as information about the recent Edspaces conference in Portland, Oregon. And, I'll introduce you to a new DJD project in Managua, Nicaragua with the American Nicaraguan School, where we are re-designing an existing structure into a new Science & Innovation Center. I hope you find the information valuable!

Creating the Classroom Spaces That Schools Need
In this featured post, I present thirteen des that can contribute to a successful redesign of classroom spaces. As we all move past the pandemic, everyone has been reminded of the value of meeting together in shared spaces. In the case of schools, let's make that time count in spaces that are worthy of assembling together every day. Read it here.

Image from Synnovation Lab's Twitter account

Re-Design Case Study: The Synnovation Lab, Sycamore High School, Montgomery, Ohio.

This is quite a unique story. Take an old auditorium and re-design it to support a new experience at school. While a school-in-a-school is not necessarily new, the approach to offering students the option to direct their daily experience is. In this feature, read about how Sycamore High School created a new opportunity for teaching and learning in a reimagined space. Image from Twitter.

My New Book - The Design Thinking Classroom

I wrote The Design Thinking Classroom to provide a guide for teachers that are interested in creating a dynamic classroom experience based on the process of design thinking. The Design Thinking Classroom provides a roadmap for creating an authentic, interesting, and meaningful learning pathway that enables students to develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions of an empathetic and engaged learner. The book also addresses teachers by presenting a compelling case for the adoption of a new role for classroom practitioners - the educator-designer.

The book leverages my 36-year career, parts of which were spent as a classroom teacher (15 years, in public high school), an administrator (12 years in instructional technology), a designer for an international design firm, and as an independent freelance educational designer. My varied professional experiences have enabled me to write a book that successfully unwinds the complex narrative of advancing the educational experience of the everyday classroom

Chapters

Chapter 1: Understanding the Design Thinking Process
Chapter 2: Advancing the Educational Experience
Chapter 3: A New Role for the Educator: The Educator-Designer
Chapter 4: The Design Thinking Classroom
Chapter 5: Designing the Student Learning Experience
Chapter 6: Classroom Tools for Design Experiences
Chapter 7: Creating Learning Experiences that Support Design Experiences
Chapter 8: Embracing the Journey

Read more about the book here. COMING SOON: information about the book's companion instructional design tool!

My Work: American Nicaraguan School
I'm fortunate to be working with the American Nicaraguan School to redesign an existing two-story administrative building on campus into a Science & Innovation Center. I've already completed a visitation to campus where I had a chance to learn about their school, its culture and Nicaragua. I'm doing this work with my design partner, Jason Meyering Architecture of Chicago. The work is truly exciting as we just finished our first concept design. The new space will create three comprehensive science labs as well as an innovation space designed to support their K-12 population. The space is at the crossroads of their campus, and we're designing the space to be the new heart of campus and a location that unites the primary and secondary campuses. Stay tuned!

Classroom Design Resources: Top Resources Edition #4
I'd like to share some resources that I have found that may help you with the redesign of classrooms.

Readings
Space as Provocateur | David Jakes
Rows and Stacks and Change | David Jakes
4 Lessons the Classroom Can Learn from the Design Studio | Melanie Kahl
8 Tips and Tricks to Redesign Your Classroom | David Bill
Three Ways to Design Better Classrooms and Learning Spaces | Danish Kurani
Preparing for the Hybrid Classroom | LPA Studios
Classroom Revamp | Steelcase
Bodies in Motion, Brains in Motion | VS Furniture
Learning Spaces Toolkit | North Carolina State University
A High-Performance Space for Learning | Genzler
Learning Spaces | Herman Miller
The impact of classroom design on pupils' learning: Final results of a holistic, multi-level analysis | Barrett
Innovative Learning Environments and Teacher Change | ILETC
A Systemic Review of the Effects of Learning Environments on Student Learning Outcomes | ILETC

Classroom Furniture- who I design with:
KI | Green Bay, Wisconsin
VS | Charlotte, North Carolina
Fomcore | Muskegon, Michigan
Steelcase | Grand Rapids, Michigan
Mein | Grand Rapids, Michigan
Fleetwood | Holland, Michigan
Smith System | Dallas, Texas

Furniture, Furniture and More Furniture
I attended the annual EdSpaces Conference in Portland, Oregon. If you have never been, its an interesting mix of manufacturers, vendors, designers, architects and educators. Check out the variety of furniture that is available for classroom design!

Featured Technology: Camo Studio and Belkin iPhone Mount
I've been interested in upgrading my technology to be able to create more professional content, especially instructional video. That means moving beyond the grainy camera output from my MacBook Pro. During research for a new webcam, it became apparent that the camera I needed was the one I already owned - the camera on my iPhone! So, I went ahead and purchased a Belkin iPhone Mount and used the feature of Mac OS Ventura to use my iPhone as a webcam. And the results are amazing! My iPhone connects wirelessly to my MacBook through a product called Camo Studio (which I upgraded) that lets me manage all aspects of the camera. I'm really pleased with the affordable solution, great functionality, and the end product - a much better visual representation. The screenshot is me in 1040P.

Upcoming DJD Events: I'm excited to be returning to Educon this February in Philadelphia. Like many conferences, the event was interrupted by the pandemic, but now it's back. I'll be leading a conversation entitled Wonder, Curiosity, Expeditions, and Journeys. I'll also be joining Tim Boyle, Principal at SLA-MS for Tne Case for Public Dreaming.

Let's work together! I do many things - learning spaces design, partnering with architecture firms, curriculum design and professional development. If you need the experience of a veteran educator and designer for any of these needs, please contact me. I'm always glad to hear from you and to explore interesting options.

Do you need help designing or redesigning your school experience or need help in understanding what's next? Contact me here. For more information about DJD, my services, or examples of my project work, see davidjakesdesigns.com

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