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Engineering the Classroom Space

Engineering the Classroom Space. Abel L. Villarreal Austin Community College Teacher Certification Program. “What Starts Here Changes the World! ” Walter Cronkite (for Univ. of Texas) . A well engineered classroom has four elements in balance: . School required dictates

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Engineering the Classroom Space

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  1. Engineering the Classroom Space Abel L. Villarreal Austin Community College Teacher Certification Program

  2. “What Starts Here Changes the World!” Walter Cronkite (for Univ. of Texas)

  3. A well engineered classroom has four elements in balance: • School required dictates • Home comforts • Technology tools • Backup systems

  4. School Required Dictates School dictates are things the school requires a teacher MUST have in the classroom. The list includes a U.S. flag, a Texas flag, bell schedule, fire drill escape route, fire extinguisher, school rules.

  5. Like it or not , school dictates MUST be considered FIRST when engineering your classroom. Maintain these items In top working order at all times.

  6. Home Comforts Breathe Life into a Classroom Home comforts are materials, objects, personal effects students and teacher bring to the classroom from home. Such items may include photos, plants, drawings, art, furniture. The right comforts add character,soul and a sense of safety to its occupants.

  7. Birthdays as a Home Comfort Keep a big monthly calendar and have students write in their birthday. When the day come, celebrate it with them; give them a goodie from your special “Birthday Box.”

  8. In engineering the learning space, the teacher must understand that he/she is sharing the learning space with at least 15 other people. SHARE!

  9. Four Basic Types of Classroom Spaces • Fun classroom spaces. • Smart classroom spaces. • Organized classroom spaces. • Nurturing classroom spaces. Read pp 74-78, Rookie Teaching for Dummies by Michael Kelley

  10. Fun Classroom Spaces • Teacher usually has an extroverted personality. • Classroom is heavily decorated, especially on holidays. • Many K-8 teachers fall in this category.

  11. Smart Classroom Spaces • This classroom teacher is very knowledgeable in the subject area or field. • The teacher take students learning the subject very seriously. • Classroom is usually decorated with informative and thought provoking posters, quotes, or materials. • Many high school teachers fall in this category.

  12. Organized Classroom Spaces • Teacher is very specific and particular about how things are done. • Everything has its specific place and function. • Many teachers who teach honors or advanced placement classes fall into this category. • List a few clear, concise rules of the class on poster size paper.

  13. Nurturing Classroom Spaces • Teachers in this category form strong family bonds with students. • Walls and bulletin boards are filled with student work, art, photos. • Posters with “catchy” slogans have REAL meaning to students.

  14. Since you will be spending about as much time in the classroom as you will at home, keep your “home away from home” clean, maintained, and inviting.

  15. Technology Tools • New School Technologies • More powerful computers (gigahertz) • Software on DVD and electronically downloaded • HD-TVs, DVD, HD-DVD, BlueRay • Internet is wireless, WiFi, Wii, Google • Computer connected color projectors • Interactive video conferencing • Ipods, Blackberrys, bluetooth cell phones • White boards and Smart Boards • Old School Technologies • Slower computers (megahertz) • Software on CD-ROM and 3.5” disks. • Analog TVs, VCRs • Internet is “wired” and slow • Cell phones are bulky, have limited range, and expensive • Blackboards, chalk and overhead projectors

  16. Technology is in constant flux. What is “cutting edge” and new school technology today may be obsolete or old technology in a very short time. About 30 years ago ….

  17. This was big screen television on the cutting edge.

  18. This was cutting edge computer technology.

  19. This was a state of the art laptop computer.

  20. This was expensive, cutting edge calculator technology.

  21. 58 years ago, blackboards and chalk were classroom MUST HAVE tools!

  22. Fast forward to 2008 and …

  23. We have flat screen HD-TVs that are a mere 2 to 3 inches thick, weighs less than 60 pounds and can display a 50 inch or larger picture using a fraction of the power.

  24. We use laptop computers that operates at 1.8 gigahertz,loads software wirelessly, has no internal moving parts,does not need an optical drive, has 64 gigabytes of flash memory, runs 4 to 5 hours on a single charge, weighs 3 pounds, and is over 1000 times faster than its 1980’s predecessor

  25. This calculator is 100+ times more powerful than its 1980’s parent, costs just over one-tenth of its ancestor, and runs for months on a set of batteries. It is a standard tool in today’s math classes across the country.

  26. Blackboards and chalk, on the other hand, just keep going and going and going and…

  27. In terms of classroom technology tools, what do these pictures suggest?

  28. Answer: Some classroom tools evolve while others are ageless. This means that the classroom teacher MUST master ageless (old school) technology as well as learn/apply new school technology!

  29. Pitfalls and Sand Traps • Just because blackboards and chalk are ageless does NOT give educators license to be one-dimensional teachers. • Just because you use cutting edge technologies to teach does NOT mean you are a good teacher.

  30. Take a Minute What is your first thought that comes to you when you see this ad?

  31. Food for Thought • 21st Century Summit: What students need: • Digital-age literacy Inventive Thinking • Literacy in all technologies Problem solving using tools • Effective Communications High Productivity • Collaborate Planning • Interactive Use of tools • Social responsibility Produce products

  32. More Food for Thought • How fast is technology moving???? • 38 years for radio to get to 50 million users • 13 years for TV to get to 50 million users • 16 years for PC’s to get to 50 million users • 4 years for Internet to get to 50 million users

  33. Backup Systems Backup systems are people, knowledge, tools, procedures, and equipment that keeps a classroom running smoothly and efficiently.

  34. Backup Systems People • Janitor • Secretary • Computer Technician/specialist • Counselor/administrator • School security officer/hall monitor • Teacher next door • Nurse Why are these people so important?

  35. Janitor as your Mommy The janitor is like your mommy: He/she will keep your classroom running like your second home.

  36. Secretary as a body guard Think of the secretary as your body guard: He/she will watch your back and give you inside info on everything going on at school and keep you a step ahead on everything.

  37. Computer tech as your auto mechanic and doctor The computer guy/gal is like your friendly auto mechanic and family doctor in one: He/she will fix/repair your teacher tools (computer, printer, projector, etc.) and keep you “healthy and fit” with school deadlines (grades, attendance, etc.).

  38. Counselor as a gatekeeper A school counselor/administrator is your gateway to administrative solutions to problem students and situations. Be very selective on who this person(s) is (are).

  39. Security/Monitor as your guardian angel A security guard or hall monitor is like a guardian angel: he/she will keep you and your students safe and will take extra care to watch over your “second” family and home.

  40. Neighbor as a sitter Think of the teacher next door as a “student” sitter when you have to step out of your room on emergencies or running late. Of course, you will do the neighborly thing and reciprocate when called upon.

  41. Nurse as your medical advisor Think of the school nurse as the expert medical source and supplier of first aid stuff (band aids, alcohol pads, etc.) on campus. He/she can diagnose medical student problems, advise you how to deal with a wide variety of common student ailments (headaches, nosebleeds, seizures, fainting spells, etc.)

  42. Remember your Backup People • Respect their skills. • Treat them well. • Remember their birthdays. • Share family news. • Put them on your Christmas list. • Visit with them off and on.

  43. Backup Procedures • Post fire drill exit route • Reboot/reset procedure for computer, projector, computer network. • List of emergency phone numbers and room locations (office, nurse, security). • Procedures to execute phone functions.

  44. Backup Tools and Equipment • Compact Tool kit (screw drivers, pliers, etc.) • 1st Aid bag (various sizes of band aids, jelly alcohol pads, peroxide). • WD-40 • Cleaning supplies • Formula 409 • Rags, paper towels • Teflon scrubber • Home comforts • Facial tissues • Hand lotion • Plastic ware (cups, plates forks, spoons)

  45. Two Rules to Teach By • Will the tools and methods I use make me a better teacher? • Will my students WANT to learn more?

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