Flexible Learning Spaces

Flexible Learning Spaces at MMPS

Over the past decade the Victorian Government has been building new schools with flexible learning spaces. During the last few years we have seen increases in flexible learning  spaces through the “Building the Education Revolution Primary Schools for the 21st Century Program”. During 2012 our Year Five students have worked in a flexible learning space with homeroom teachers. In 2013 we are extending this initiative to include Years Five and Six. The Year Six  students will be located in the Melrose extension in 2013. Modifications to connect learning spaces will be made to part of the Melrose building to accommodate Year Five students in 2013. There is a vast body of research that supports the benefits of flexible learning spaces. Much of this work discusses the enormous changes in the world, and the increasing pace of that change, and how schools need to change their approach to better equip young learners for the world in which they will live. Maximising student learning is at the heart of decisions about the re-design of learning spaces. The skills students acquire are influenced by the  design of learning spaces, the effective use of ICT and the ways in which the school reflects on the needs of learners in the 21st century. Learning is enhanced, deepened and made more relevant by increasing opportunities for:

• Active and interactive participation
• Collaborative project work
• Information retrieval and sharing
• Discussion and presentation
• Production of new knowledge
• Teacher and student-led activities
• Local and global networks
• Personalised learning
• Direct instruction

Flexible classroom spaces provide more opportunities for students and staff to work in collaborative spaces, with quiet areas for individual work, discussion areas both small and large, spaces for ICT and flexible arrangements of furniture. We know that students learn in many different ways, and not just by listening to a teacher but through active engagement with the content, by hands-on activities, by having the opportunity to critically analyse information they are given and by working together collaboratively with their peers. Our plans for flexible learning spaces for Years Five and Six students enables teachers to more easily accommodate these 21st century approaches and hence meet our students’ diverse needs.

The purpose of the School’s Strategic Plan “Mount Martha Primary School strives to empower students to be active learners who will make a positive impact in a changing world”. Working in a flexible learning space will provide senior students with increasing ownership around their learning and how to learn and be lifelong learners. This is an exciting step in preparing our students for our ever changing world where the most important skills for our students will be:

• Learning and Innovation Skills, which include creativity, critical thinking,  communication, and collaboration
• Information, Media, and Technology Skills, which involve effectively using, managing, and evaluating information from digital technology and communication tools
• Life and Career Skills, which include flexibility and adaptability, self-direction, teamwork, appreciation of diversity, accountability, and leadership.