- Equine Assisted Learning
- Modern Learning Environments (MLEs)
This post is about the MLE part of my trip. I had time to visit two very different schools renowned for their MLEs.
Silverton Primary and another one that made so little positive impact on me I can't even remember the name.
Of the two Silverton primary seemed to have their pedagogy aligned with their practise.
They have been on the MLE road since the 90s with the introduction of a strong innovative leader.
Both schools had large teaching spaces that had up to 120 students of similar age and about four teachers.
Silverton had a long serving Principal with vision and direction for his learners. The school had an excellent learning atmosphere and showed a real celebration of their students. It seemed open minded and focused.
The other school seemed to be a traditional old school at heart that was embedded in a fear based system. The teacher talk I over heard was very dated - terms like punishment rather than consequences - that sort of thing.
While the idea of a Modern Learning Environment sounds like something everyone would want I am wondering about the practicality of doing it in a way that increases outcomes for all students.
One the one hand it seems that more students are provided for with a schedule of swapping between tasks that is reminiscent of the almost hyperactive multimedia world our students live in.... however on the other I am wondering about that connection with the teacher - that is so beneficial, especially to those at risk learners who need guidance and direction (where those other students will access curriculum concepts no matter what).
Pondering!
Silverton had a long serving Principal with vision and direction for his learners. The school had an excellent learning atmosphere and showed a real celebration of their students. It seemed open minded and focused.
The other school seemed to be a traditional old school at heart that was embedded in a fear based system. The teacher talk I over heard was very dated - terms like punishment rather than consequences - that sort of thing.
While the idea of a Modern Learning Environment sounds like something everyone would want I am wondering about the practicality of doing it in a way that increases outcomes for all students.
One the one hand it seems that more students are provided for with a schedule of swapping between tasks that is reminiscent of the almost hyperactive multimedia world our students live in.... however on the other I am wondering about that connection with the teacher - that is so beneficial, especially to those at risk learners who need guidance and direction (where those other students will access curriculum concepts no matter what).
Pondering!
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