This looks far more pedestrian than it really is! There is lots of natural light in this room and windows you can open if you want to; one whole wall is in fact an interactive whiteboard, all tables have built in computer touch screens (see photo insert)and have Skype and a plethora of fabulous CALL programs and tools installed ready to go and students have unlimited downloads available. Each student has a notebook. There is a printer in the room but it is not on view. I should have added a quiet reading corner with a few bean bags but I ran out of time to re-jig the drawing. Imagine they are there near the bookcase. There is magnetic strip running around the room like a picture rail to facilitate displaying student work in hard copy form. Also the walls can be written and drawn on. There is a PA system linking all classrooms on each floor to facilitate assessments across levels.
The carpet is pleasant underfoot and students can sit on the floor for some tasks if they wish; the chairs are very comfortable and ergonomic, and the tables, moveable. The teacher console has internet access, controls audio and video and there is also a document camera. The airconditioning works all the time and the atmosphere is very pleasant and conducive to learning - the walls are sound proofed. There are a couple of large pot plants as well but they haven't been delivered yet! They are flowering orchids -dark russet and yellow.
7 comments:
Hi Julia
I'm glad you added the detailed explanation. In fact the interactive wall is a fantastic idea. I have seen one in a workplace which was a meeting room for designers and if you had to save one thing from that room, it was the interactive wall. I guess that enthusiasm would transfer from designers to language learners.
I am also relieved by your mention of natural light and windows. I noticed that in our video of the ideal classroom for this week there seemed to be no windows and I wouldn't like that at all.
Wow! An interactive wall? Sounds like something out of Star Trek. Not sure about the seating arrangements though, I think my naughty bods would be hiding at the back.
How cool is this wall?
You got long to wait for the orchids?
I'm on a bean bag in the corner, beam beam :-)
Wonderful to see both the picture and description and thanks for mentioning "ergonomic". One for us to remember, bean bag feels feathery.
Hi Julia, like the others I think the interactive white board is an awesome idea. Clever and trendy at the same time. The bean bag is also great to give learners the sense of home in the classroom. It gets everyone in a good mood for learning. Nice environment :)
yeah - that wall was amazing! AndI am a huge fan of bean bags and bare feet.
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