Presenter: Prof Stephen Heppell<\/p>\n
Slightly sparse audience this morning – which is a shame, as this was brilliant. Perhaps it is a sign of a good talk that it is hard to blog. I need more time to reflect on some of what has been said. Stephen jumped around quite a bit using a lot of examples – but all the time challenging our notion of how people learn, the nature of the spaces they learn in, the way we engage with them.<\/p>\n
My notes capture only bits and pieces, although hopefully some of the links will lead to more examples.<\/p>\n
Everyone should hear Stephen Heppell speak – inspirational. (and you can by subscribing to his podcast<\/a>)<\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n Stephen starts out by saying that universities seem not to be designed around learning – architecturally or socially – and he is challenging us, as we are in a uniquely privileged position to change this.<\/p>\n So, Stephen suggests that the difference between the 20th and 21st century is: Stephen is working with the Chinese government at the moment – and suggesting that within the next 5 years China will be a net importer of students. This is a pretty big issue for UK HE.<\/p>\n If the World Bank understands that learning is changing – why don’t universities?<\/p>\n Try typing ‘buy an essay’ into google. Huge number of hits. Who is writing these? Students of course. Even suggesting that you ‘work your way up’ when purchasing essays – don’t go from failing to A grades – start with a few Cs and Bs.<\/p>\n So – why are we going around trying to find ways of trapping this, rather than setting tasks that are really challenging in a 21st century way? As an example, get students to critique other essays (possibly bought online) rather than writing their own.<\/p>\n Stephen is mentioning a project he is currently working on – learnometer<\/a> which is about how we measure learning.<\/p>\n Teacher’s TV – aimed at teachers. But students are watching it. Students are reflecting on learning more than we are? Quite amazing. An example of a project in primary school with 2 girls who have composed a ‘grammar rap’ – and reflect on how it’s helping with boys literacy. Also an example of students engaging with an immersive online environment as a story, complete with characters who text them, and interact with them. This stuff will be available at heppell.net<\/a> shortly.<\/p>\n An example of a learning space in Thailand – on the 6th floor of a department store – so different to our typical learning spaces. Instead of rows of computers and books, it is a really exciting space, with funky furniture, and forces interaction – you have to climb a climbing frame to get at the bookshelves.<\/p>\n How often do we involve students in the design of our buildings?<\/p>\n Why do we wait until children are 18 to get them into University – some examples of students at 11 sitting in on university classes.<\/p>\n Every 4 days a new school opens in the UK – can this possibly be true? Building spaces that ‘just work’ – example of a school in Richmond upon Thames where Stephen was aiming for any device the student brought into the space would just work – phones to PSPs to …<\/p>\n
\nIn the 20th century we built big things that did things for others
\nIn the 21st century we build things that help people to help each other<\/p>\n