Are You Ready For A Blended Learning Class?

Gispen Classroom setting work group with JUNA trainbench and TMNL desks and NOMI chairs render

The teacher who merely shares knowledge with passively listening students is a thing of the by. Many educational institutions are glad these times are over, and so are we. Information technology is condign increasingly common to combine unlike education methods in education, similar to what occurs in concern where different working methods are combined. Non only because information technology leads to improve results, simply as well because it is more fun. What exactly is 'composite learning' and what tin can Gispen do to prepare your educational environment for information technology?

DEFINING Composite LEARNING

Every bit the proper name suggests, blended learning is a blend of different teaching methods. Combining classroom learning with ICT-based teaching modes, materials and tools applied in a single learning environment. The online office goes further than watching a video or attending an east-learning session. It includes online class discussions using statements, building a wiki together, working on a digital portfolio, a digital mind map or learning via a game or simulation. There is a wide variety of digital teaching modes that tin can be combined with traditional teaching modes, but likewise with other 'offline' methods. A skilful example of this is peer feedback, where students assess each other, also every bit different types of presentations – from a poster presentation to an elevator pitch.

FLIPPING THE CLASSROOM

You shouldn't misfile blended learning with what we would phone call hybrid learning, where a class tin can exist attended both remotely and physically. Flipping the classroom is another example of a blended method, where the physical class and self-study are flipped. Teachers who apply this method don't spend their contiguous time on giving instructions, just use that time to dive deeper into the bailiwick. Students sentry an instruction video before they nourish the form, and actively engage with the subject matter during class. However, wouldn't it be overnice if y'all could bring together all sorts of teaching modes in a single, physical learning environment? Particularly because meeting 1 another in person is becoming increasingly important.

SOCIAL INTERACTION

Particularly at present that remote educational activity has become more common due to the pandemic, it is even more of import for college students to meet up in person to grab upwards, share interests, report together and hold discussions. Social interaction is not but fun but likewise of import for the students' development. Information technology is during this phase of life that they develop their own identities, and this happens not simply through classes and teachers, but all the more through interactions with each other. Blended learning allows for plenty of encounters and interaction. A skilful incentive for students to attend school! And there are many more advantages.

Boosted ADVANTAGES

Many educational institutions want their students to acquire in a more 'agile' way. No more sitting back, being passive and absorbing information. The subject field thing will stick better when students actively appoint with information technology. This is where blended learning makes the difference, due to its variety of pedagogy methods. This variety is also what makes it more bonny to students. If y'all want to appoint with young people and keep them interested, you lot should comprise plenty of variation in your classes. Why not integrate the use of a laptop or smartphone into your lesson program? Later on all, these devices are within attain while studying at domicile likewise.

Alice Tabak, Gispen interior architect

HOW DOES 1 CREATE A 'BLENDED' FURNISHING?

How tin can different didactics modes be facilitated within one and the same learning environment? Gispen volition gladly think along with you, as we have already done for several other educational institutions. It all starts with a clever interior design. Alice Tabak, interior architect at Gispen: 'To come up with an optimal design, nosotros always starting time by establishing the different teaching modes the client wants to facilitate. Nosotros so look at the requirements that this imposes on the learning environment. There are sure requirements the space has to meet earlier blended learning can take place there. Only when this is all bundled will you be able to design a flexible layout and piece of furniture allocation. Having tables with folding tops that can be used as a whiteboard, for instance.'

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR

What are the requirements for a blended learning environs? Alice Tabak: 'It often requires a bit more space per pupil than the standard fifty 10 seventy cm student desk. In guild to furnish the space with a variety of furniture setups, you need to have account of walking infinite and space needed for rotating furniture. Y'all will also desire to incorporate plenty of power sockets into the walls and ceilings for plugging in monitors and laptops. Ideally, as an interior designer, you should be involved with the project from an early on phase, especially with newly constructed buildings and renovations. This will allow y'all to create extra space or install doors slightly differently, for case, and then that the infinite is used to the fullest. If that is not possible, we may recommend to have a limit of 24 instead of 32 students for that particular room, for the purpose of truly all-around agile learning.'

Peer group setup

SUCCESSFUL Composite LEARNING Example

Gispen created an interior design for the learning surroundings of a Dutch university of applied sciences that wants to have meaningful interaction with students and stimulate active learning. With an important role for the learning community and peer groups, where students tin experience safe. The proposed blueprint boasts sit down-stand desks, stools, folding tables combined with mobile sofas and mobile chairs with swivel tops that tin all exist quickly arranged in different setups.

Gispen Classroom setting peer team with JUNA trainbench and TMNL desks and NOMI chairs render

Gispen Classroom setting classical with JUNA trainbench and TMNL desks render

Classroom setup

Alice Tabak: 'The idea is to start the form with a short instruction of ten minutes in a traditional classroom setup. The students are then split upwards into peer groups for doing group assignments, with or without digital aids, while seated or standing. They can make use of diverse available touch screens to piece of work together as a group and requite each other feedback, instead of each student sitting behind their own laptop. During the final half hour, the groups nowadays their results to 1 some other, for example in a theatre setup or parliament setup; seating arrangements that encourage students to interact and concur discussions.'

Piece of work group setup

DYNAMISM AND Temper

In short, blended learning introduces a lot of dynamism into an educational setting. Or, in other words: the blended learning (class)room must be able to 'handle' and facilitate a certain dynamism. A clever interior design should always include furniture that is mobile and superlative-adjustable. Since the concrete well-existence of both staff and students is also of business organization, sit-stand piece of furniture offers the necessary movement and variation. Alice Tabak: 'And don't forget about the temper of the environment! The dark-green mobile sofas featured in the case create a more homely ambient and add colour to the room. The furniture can exist matched to the brand identity of the school.'