• How are successful learning cultures created and sustained?
• How do we foster curiosity and a growth mindset?
• Are we all co-learners in our learning communities?
• Are we models of life long learning?

"...it is about creating stimulating school environments and these may not always be contained within four walls." Ontario Public School Boards' Association

Learners excel when they feel safe, challenged, and in control of their own learning. Learning environments involve far more than the physical and virtual classroom; they support a climate that nurtures well-being and responds to the cognitive, emotional, and social needs of learners. These spaces should be intentionally designed and co-constructed by everyone involved in the learning process. A dynamic learning environment is responsive, flexible and adaptable.

How do we co-create a learning environment that supports all learners?

The Learning Environment Look-For’s require the co-creation of spaces: physical, emotional and cognitive that support all learners based on the following criteria.

A Learning Environment should be:

✅Safe

✅Challenging and engaging

✅Student control their own learning

✅Support a Climate that nurture well being

✅How do we respond to the emotional, cognitive, and social needs of learners

✅Intentionally designed and co-constructive

✅Responsive, flexible, and adaptable

21st Century Skill Implementation Guide- Learning Environments

The Online Educator- Creating Virtual Environments

Inspiring Spaces for Young Children

Capacity Building Series- Learning Environments (The Third Teacher)

21st Century Learning Environments

Flexible Classrooms

Revolutionizing Traditional Classrooms

Schools of the Future

How Kindergarten Got it Right- Podcast

Books:

Graves,C., Graves, A., & Rendina, D.L. Challenge-based learning in the school library makespace. Santa Barbara, CA: Library of Congress Cataloging.

Knight, J. High-impact instruction: A framework for great teaching. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Publishers.

Lombardozzi, C. (2015). Learning environments by design. Alexandria, VA: ADT Press.

Maslyk, J. STEAM makers: Fostering creativity and innovation in the elementary classroom. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publishing Ltd.

Martin, K. Learner centered innovation: Spark curiosity ignite passion, and unleash genius. IM Press.

Resnick, M. (2017). Lifelong kindergarten: Cultivating creativity through projects, passion, peers, and play. Santa Barbara, CA: MIT Press.