Instructional Settings

The information space of Campfire

Campfires are informational spaces where we get information from experts. Early in human experience this was the role of the storyteller or shaman. In our world it is any situation where information is coming at us and we just listen. This includes television, lectures, reading, listening, video, etc. The principle is one directional learning typically. The emphasis here needs to be on great storytelling so engagement is high and students gain a quick understanding to inform deeper work.

The conversational space of the Watering Hole

Watering holes are any place people gather together to talk like coffee shops, water cooler, copy machine, texting, FaceBook, etc. These are conversational places we go in order to share what we have learned or experienced with our peers.

The conceptual space of the Cave

Caves are conceptual spaces where we go to reflect, process, and create in private to internalize our knowledge. This is where we take new information and conversations and think through what it means for us individually. This can be thinking, writing, sketching, etc. Whatever you need to do to make sense of the world happens here and often gives birth to new ideas. What happens in the classroom must be engaging enough to cause authentic reflection.

The contextual space of Life

Life means how you apply what you have learned and discovered. This is the context of learning. Just-In-Time learning happens here and it is relevant and engaging. When learning happens in this way, it has meaning beyond the lesson. "In the contextual space of

life, learning takes place just in time to be used, not just in case it will be needed later" (62). This is about how what is learned is applied to a real life situation.

The video below is a demonstration of how we can use flexible grouping to meet the needs of our students.