#SquirrelsChat meets once a month at 8:00 p.m. EST to discuss education technology and tools, professional development and technology integration. This chat is moderated by Squirrels LLC, creators of classroom screen-mirroring solutions Reflector 2, ClassHub, AirParrot 2 and Ditto.
Welcome to #SquirrelsChat! Take a moment to introduce yourself to the group.
If you won an all-expenses paid classroom makeover, what would you change? @Squirrels
Adam Rogers CTE Technology Coordinator OKCPS I would make a classroom look more like a collaboration space. Where students can work together and learn from each other. #SquirrelsChat
Hey #SquirrelsChat! Excited to co-host with my PIC @beckyshy. If I won an all-expenses paid classroom makeover, I would get a semi truck and head straight to @IKEAUSA and buy everything in sight! @Squirrels
Janis-ITC from MI. After seeing the new classroom furniture at #MACUL18, I definitely want the desks you can configure into tables or desks with whiteboard tops! #SquirrelsChat
A1: The physical environment is important. My former principal encouraged plants, lamps, rugs, & soft music. So many Ts are limited w/$, so just creating a welcome environment is the most important
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Natasha, digital learning specialist from Atlanta! Since I'm central office based, and pending our schools were outfitted first, I'd outfit the office with 21st century EVERYTHING so ALL employees had the classroom experience! #SquirrelsChat
Welcome to #SquirrelsChat! Take a moment to introduce yourself to the group.
If you won an all-expenses paid classroom makeover, what would you change? @Squirrels
A1- I think a school/classroom has to have an inviting presence. I always had a colorful room with pretty much every wall covered. I am always put off by barren/stark classrooms. #squirrelschat
A1: Students learn best in colorful, innovative environments! Fresh and airy spaces that get the creative juices flowing! When placed in dark noninspirational spaces, learning can't thrive! #SquirrelsChat
A1. Desks, especially with seating fixed to the desktop and piled in a classroom make logistics in the room somewhat limited. Need to maximize the space by scaling seating back...or get a larger room...or start holding class outside. #squirrelschat
I think it's so important for EVERY level of education to have a feel for the classroom. @beckyshy and I are creating a demo classroom at @Squirrels to give our team a sense of what it's like in classrooms today. #squirrelschat
I have studied Seymour for years. His writings were a huge influence on my becoming an educator. We can still learn alot from his books. #squirrelschat
Sound is really important...too much music/noise can be distracting but not enough can also be distracting! I like to give Ss the option to use @noisli if they work better in an environment with ambient noise! #squirrelschat
A1 Physical environment is everything! Whether it's school or work, you spend 40+ hours a week in that space and you want to be inspired when you walk in, not tired. Every space has its own vibe -- make yours positive! #squirrelschat
A2: Learning space should be a combination of things that benefit Ss and makes sense for you as the T. Being open to change is so important.
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A2: Definitely classroom size, color, thinking about what you'll want the kids to do in the space, soft seating, hard seating, furniture that moves so the class can be set up multiple ways for different purposes. #SquirrelsChat
Being open to change is so important! We often think in terms of how we personally learn best, but we need to put ourselves in others shoes as well. Everyone has unique learning preferences! #squirrelschat
A2: Learning space should be a combination of things that benefit Ss and makes sense for you as the T. Being open to change is so important.
#SquirrelsChat
A2-I would consider what tasks I ask of my students most often. More collaborative spaces promotes collaboratation. I also know when I have to sit in a hard chair for 6 hours, I get crabby㪠#squirrelschat
A2: In my ms classroom, I used milk crates & rugs to allow Ss movement, chairs and lamps, curtains with bright colors and inspirational posters. Ss should want to to be in the room. #SquirrelsChat
A2 Curriculum goals, grade level, where they fall in Piagets theory of development and what environment will best meet nurture where they are #squirrelschat
I met w/Ts last week and one said the phrase i hate...."I've been teaching for 20 years and this way works..." heart hurts for Ss whose Ts aren't about growing and learning
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Definitely, that's why I have a standing desk! It's important to consider the teacher's role and what furniture and setup works best for them in classroom design too! #squirrelschat
Thatβs true-one teacher raised the legs of her desks to the highest point and made standing desks and took the leg extensions of of others for sitting on pillows. Great idea for using desks that are older than she isπ #SquirrelsChat
A2 I can't like everyone's tweets fast enough - you all have GREAT ideas. It's about Ss, what works for their needs, + providing space that hits your goals. Ottomans may not be the best place to take a test, but could be the perfect place for creative writing #squirrelschat
I always say-Too bad you donβt have those kids anymore! Everything we do is different from 20 yrs ago-phones, cars, how we shop-teaching should look equally different! #squirrelschat
A3: Classroom design lends itself well to a ton of math concepts! Have a class competition for the best classroom redesign using an app like @roomstyler Check out the floor plan I made of our office Learning Lab currently under construction! https://t.co/TLwORZGZ2r#SquirrelsChat
I love this perspective! I would not like a TV from 20 years ago, why would I want my classroom stuck in 1998! (also I still can't believe 1998 was 20 years ago) #squirrelschat
A3. Easy. Ask them to describe their favorite places to hang out. Sometimes ideas come out of bizarre answersβ¦even if they include answers that are not typically related to seating or traditional classroom design. #squirrelschat
I'm really excited about the Learning Lab that @beckyshy and I are designing @Squirrels. You can see our initial design here and we'll share more along the way #squirrelschat
A3: Classroom design lends itself well to a ton of math concepts! Have a class competition for the best classroom redesign using an app like @roomstyler Check out the floor plan I made of our office Learning Lab currently under construction! https://t.co/TLwORZGZ2r#SquirrelsChat
A3-Students show you what they want! When your 10β x 12β rug wonβt hold all the kids who want to work there, you know you need new options. A fellow teacher got a grant and let the kids vote. Now has 4 new work spaces!#squirrelschat
Let's keep this design train going! Q4 is up in a minute. Tune into #squirrelschat to learn more about designing a classroom environment that works for everyone. @Squirrels@beckyshy
Q4: Everyone loves a good edu hack! Most teachers and schools donβt have an unlimited budget for their dream classroom. What are some design hacks for making a future ready classroom on a budget? #SquirrelsChat#ThriftyTeacher
Hereβs the space after our @IKEAUSA trip. We used blue tape the measure out the space before we purchased anything. Next up: building A LOT of furniture πππ #squirrelschat
My favorite hack is to put CASTERS ON EVERYTHING!!!! If you need to reconfigure your classroom design to fit a certain activity, casters make everything mobile! #squirrelschat#castersonmycasters
Also, hit up the "As-Is" section at IKEA! Tons of great stuff just waiting to be repurposed! I could talk about #thrifty classroom hacks for days!!! #SquirrelsChat
A4. Get lumber!!! Build fold up bar tables against walls. Build low rise tables for sitting on the floor. Use bed risers for existing modular desks. My wife, @SarahMcCraryLA, is the queen of flexible seating on a budget. #squirrelschat
A4 I always want to find something that has dual purpose. Whether that means ottomans with storage or a whiteboard that's magnetic, I'm looking for anything that can fit multiple situations in the classroom -- it will be worth it! #squirrelschat
Creating space for change, big or small, is not always easy in education. What advice would you give someone who runs into obstacles when redesigning a learning space? #squirrelschat
A5 Be patient and start small! Unfortunately we're not going to really get the all-expenses paid makeover we talked about at the beginning, but you can make changes along the way that add up #squirrelschat
Creating space for change, big or small, is not always easy in education. What advice would you give someone who runs into obstacles when redesigning a learning space? #squirrelschat
A5 I think someone else mentioned this earlier, but something as small as changing the sound and lighting in a room can bring positivity to a space. I love looking at the environment from multiple angles #squirrelschat
A5- Try something new- if it doesnβt work-try again. Ask for donations from parents and PTO, most are very willing to give $ if kids benefit. Make friends with maintenance staff! #squirrelschat
Does anyone else have tired fingers after a π₯chat like our #squirrelschat tonight?! I was working to keep up with all of your amazing ideas and insight. I hope you everyone leaves with some inspiration for design thinking! #squirrelschat
