. @kerri_ranney and I are excited to be moderating #EDpiper. Welcome! We’re talking furniture, technology, walls, flexibility, culture and more. Use #EDpiper and mention us to ask us anything.
Welcome everyone to the #EDpiper Twitter chat. @Konrad_Judd and I will be answering questions about rethinking, creating & maximizing flexibility in your classroom. Ask us anything!
Learning Environments - Such a timely topic within the #edpiper community. As a former campus principal, I had opportunity to open a brand new campus two years ago where flexible design and use of flexible spaces became a passion of mine.
Hey Ryan! I was bragging on you and your mad #gif skills to @SteveLoganJr last week. Not sure why he never joins. ;-) I still like him though! #EDpiper
A1: Multi-purpose areas are great for blended learning and provide a space for students and staff to collaborate. They also breakdown the walls of the classroom. #EDpiper
Q1: Don’t let the four walls limit you. We often let space define how students learn. Instead, let’s design the learning experience first & then define the role of our space. Why does a corridor have to be just a corridor? #EDpiper
Hey #EDpiper! I’m Lori from Arlington. I don’t twitter-chat often, but I couldn’t pass up joining in on the convo with @Konrad_Judd and @kerri_ranney !!
Q1: What if students could access resources in the library without needing a teacher to go with them? What if the cafeteria was not just for dining but also for student learning? #EDpiper
A1: We have multiple Taylor teachers that have embraced flexible learning spaces in their classrooms, the students love it, and that’s what it’s all about, right?!?! #edpiper
A1: I’ve seen schools that have pulled out their locker blocks to make way for more open areas and spaces for students to work outside of the classroom. A simple idea for schools that may not be getting bond funds anytime soon. #EDpiper
A2: Put great consideration into furniture on casters when purchasing for today's learning environment. Flexibility is key...Provides many solutions #edpiperhttps://t.co/y8cj5g6mg4
A2: Student choice can be impactful. While it’s important for all ages, our research at @LEx_Labs shows furniture selection allows elementary age students to control an important variable in their learning when most choices are made for them. #EDpiper
A1: Blessed to be at a campus that utilizes flexible seating in every aspect of the building - chairs and desks, wall space, hallway collaboration, teacher collaboration, etc. It benefits Ss and Ts @DMcClatcheyElem#edpiper
One of the first easy moves that a teacher can make is to change the room from what I call cemetery style: all the tombstones facing the front! #EDpiper
A1. We do a great job of having flexible areas. We have a maker space room and many of the teachers utilize flexible seating. Many of our students use the stools in our halls for collaboration. #EDpiper get it FLEXable seating. 😉
Miss Slayton’s WIN groups utilized our collaborative spaces this morning! We love how are teachers utilize every inch of our school to enhance student learning! #CCEPRIDE#MidwayMagic
A2: @AbbieMata has dropped her tables in kinder and provided cushion seating. @Aggiegirl1976 has dropped table legs for a reading center and turned a shelf on its side for seating. Flexible opportunities are everywhere. #EDpiper
I really utalize flexible seating, or choice, when it comes to stations! Wherever they choose! Branching out for classwork is the next step!! Looking on Pinterest as we speak lol #EDpiper
A2: Midway ISD has experimented with flexible workspaces and has found a difference in engagement and student behavior when classes were taught with flexible furniture. #EDpiper Read more: https://t.co/Ygp3EWpjKn
I believe flex seating is super cool, but the real deal is for teachers to create environments differentiated to suit the needs of their learners. #EDpiper
A2. I think flexible seating is just that. Being able to pair or group for different learning experiences. As the orchestrator of the lesson we can help mold the physical space into helping students reach a higher level! #EDpiper
A2: @AbbieMata has dropped her tables in kinder and provided cushion seating. @Aggiegirl1976 has dropped table legs for a reading center and turned a shelf on its side for seating. Flexible opportunities are everywhere. #EDpiper
@TrueNorthCG A2: Any furniture can be flexible if it can be moved to form collaborative spaces/groups. Even old school desks can become flexible when Ss are empowered to make them work for them. #EDpiper
A3: A better question we should ask is: What skills and abilities will our students need to be able to maximize the technology and access to information in the future? #EDpiper
A3: Exposure to hardware and software leverages a student’s strengths and passions. For example, if students are tasked with reading a book, they can show their mastery through creating a report, a PowerPoint presentation or a video. #EDpiper
A2: Midway ISD has experimented with flexible workspaces and has found a difference in engagement and student behavior when classes were taught with flexible furniture. #EDpiper Read more: https://t.co/Ygp3EWpjKn
A3: Moving from the chalk box to the smart board box doesn’t automatically increase flexibility. You still need options. A variety of devices, & spaces to use them, supports choice. #EDpiper
@TrueNorthCG A3: We no longer have to “wonder” for too long! As a 1:1 district we have the world at our fingertips! Ts let the Ss be the guide. That sometimes means throwing the lesson plans to the wind.#EDpiper
We are a 1:1 elementary so each student has the opportunity to work in whole group on their iPad creating stories in different apps or particpating in WG answering with different apps. #EDpiper
It’s not enough to provide flexible seating. Ts must model and teach students effective ways to use the flexible seating in learning and collaboration. Otherwise it’s flexible seating with chaos. #EDpiper
A3: Tech provides opportunity to push outside the building walls. In the future, more of HS will be offered online... we could change the game if Ss could take themed core classes based on interests instead of bc of their district... imagine a B Spears themed ELA Class #EDpiper
A3. Technology let’s anyone (Ts or Ss) be anywhere at anytime. The concept of a flipped classroom was revolutionized by technology. Technology when used correctly, creates freedom. Look at us right now! #blessed#EDpiper
A4: Walls are mostly for hanging posters and information/student work. Would love dry-erase walls to have constant collaboration and thinking throughout the day. #edpiper
Yes, just like adults. Depending on what I am trying to accomplish determines how I go about getting it done- sitting, standing, rocking, etc. I think we need to have a little bit of it all, while helping young learners find what is appropriate for them. #EDpiper
It’s not enough to provide flexible seating. Ts must model and teach students effective ways to use the flexible seating in learning and collaboration. Otherwise it’s flexible seating with chaos. #EDpiper
A4: A wall defines space, but it shouldn’t limit the learning experience. It can be more than a boundary. Here are four ways to get more out of your walls. #EDpiper
A4: As an SLP, I love using felt on the walls for interactive learning. Tomorrow I’ll be using masking tape on the floor for comparing and contrasting. Sometimes it’s the simple tools that can be made “new” again to get Ss motivated. #EDpiper
A3: Technology should be as seamless as instruction is. Students should know that it WILL be a part of everyday learning and becomes a tool for discovery and creation. All they need for that is a seat, a spot, a beanbag, etc. #edpiper
Not every child learns the same. I think of it as not every child likes to work the same way either and we like choice! Most of the time this flexibility gives the child a more cromfortable, creative, and better work space. #EDpiper
A4: What about transparency? Glass walls can be writable, movable and pinable . . . plus they support a teacher’s ability to allow students to work outside of the classroom with #passivesupervision. #EDpiper
A4: I use the windows in the halls for extra dry erase space! Tape all the gallery walk and giant post it’s I can out there too #usethewalls#evidenceoflearning PS I think schools should be covered in work and tape/staple marks 🤷🏼♀️ #sorryfacilityppl#EDpiper
@TrueNorthCG A3: We no longer have to “wonder” for too long! As a 1:1 district we have the world at our fingertips! Ts let the Ss be the guide. That sometimes means throwing the lesson plans to the wind.#EDpiper
A4: What about transparency? Glass walls can be writable, movable and pinable . . . plus they support a teacher’s ability to allow students to work outside of the classroom with #passivesupervision. #EDpiper
A5: Culture trumps strategy every day. Creating a culture of flexibility models for learners the idea that creativity has a primary place in learning and working together. #edpiper
The truth! Limit setting, modeling the expectations, and being consistent are key. It's just a different way of managing, but you have to invest time here or it will be a disappointment to all. #EDpiper
It’s not enough to provide flexible seating. Ts must model and teach students effective ways to use the flexible seating in learning and collaboration. Otherwise it’s flexible seating with chaos. #EDpiper
A5: When encouraging a flexible space and culture, success requires students to think about the what, where and with whom of their learning, and it requires teachers to share instructional and relational responsibility of students. #EDpiper
A5: @Owl_b_TorresEdu and I are building a culture of innovation. We want every student in every classroom to have the ability to choose the best way they learn. Flexible seating is part of that choice. #EDpiper
A5: Our admin is a huge support. But I’d love to see more parents understanding all the benefits. They see great pics on twitter but we need to have them understand how to help their students at home with this too! #EDPiper
A4. I think that walls need to be just like the seating..flexible. Some lessons/students need a secluded area to concentrate while also having the flexibility to create a multi grouped collaboration area. That’s when you have hit the jackpot! Have the ability to do both! #EDpiper
Our teachers have been using @Flipgrid this past week a lot for a variety of purposes - collaboration, presentation, communication, and just for fun. #edpiper
A5: I think a flexible culture requires a flexible & forward thinking captain. You’ve got to have someone willing to look silly trying something innovative. Ts& Ss look to the top. Lots of those kinds of leaders here @bjohnsonEDU@Chris_Chappotin@courtney_c_carp#EDpiper
A5: Granbury High School built a culture of flexibility and trust to help create effective and engaging learning experiences for their students. And better prepare their students for the expectations after graduation. #EDpiper
A4: Walls are mostly for hanging posters and information/student work. Would love dry-erase walls to have constant collaboration and thinking throughout the day. #edpiper
A4: A wall defines space, but it shouldn’t limit the learning experience. It can be more than a boundary. Here are four ways to get more out of your walls. #EDpiper
A6: Collaboration in today's world is imperative. Flexibility in work and learning spaces brings others to the table. It invites collaboration and problem creating, as well as problem solving. It can be messy, but worth it! #edpiper
How leadership handles its own failure directly reflects its threshold for risk. Teachers are watching! If risk is desired, failure should be handled with grace. #edpiper
A4: As an SLP, I love using felt on the walls for interactive learning. Tomorrow I’ll be using masking tape on the floor for comparing and contrasting. Sometimes it’s the simple tools that can be made “new” again to get Ss motivated. #EDpiper
A6: Create the culture first. Culture is built not just through construction, but through conversation. Talk to your teachers, admin & students about what flexibility looks like in your school. #EDpiper
A5: Culture is paramount! That was instilled into the opening of @DMcClatcheyElem -first into the teachers, then to the students and then it becomes a natural part of your everyday classroom. Trust the Process right @courtney_c_carp ❤️#edpiper
A5. I think @BCHSBurleson we have a culture of trying new ideas. This creates flexibility from our students and staff. It also gives us the power to get out of the box and try something that might impact our Ss! #EDpiper
@TrueNorthCG
A5: Classroom culture is everything! Culture enables Ss to be empowered and to be open in their communication w/each other and their Ts. Positive classroom cultures aren’t ashamed to FAIL! #edpiper
A6: Start small, ask your students, what’s one way I could make your learning experience more comfortable? I love the book, “I Wish My Teacher Knew,” by Kyle Schwartz about how we engage our kids in meaningful conversation. #EDpiper
And if they see it, hopefully there's a culture of fostering growth and collaboration among adults too! Vulnerability promotes trust which promotes vulnerability. That's where growth occurs! #edpiper
We purchased quite a few white boards on wheels. Best investment! We purchased a few large ones that we use to divide our new collaborative spaces. #EDpiper
A6. I think we have the culture built in. That’s usually the hardest part. Now we get to continueto innovate and find new ways to utilize our flexibility! #EDpiper
We have a kabajillion conference rooms with big white boards that Ss get to use for small groups. I’m always shocked but the boards are ALWAYS covered. We need more #edpiper
Create a culture where learning how to use these flex spaces is something you can do together - students/staff/leaders. We are still thinking of all the great ways we can use what we have.
That's the fun part! #EDpiper
A6: get outside with some chalk and clipboards! Turn lights off inside and use flashlights for scavenger hunt. Bring a blanket and sit on the floor together for a lesson. #EDpiper
A5: When encouraging a flexible space and culture, success requires students to think about the what, where and with whom of their learning, and it requires teachers to share instructional and relational responsibility of students. #EDpiper
How leadership handles its own failure directly reflects its threshold for risk. Teachers are watching! If risk is desired, failure should be handled with grace. #edpiper
