People, Program and Places Update # 5 (previously known as Construction Update)

Good Morning Faculty and Staff,

I’m writing this to you from Singapore where Wai Mun and I are attending the 5th Annual Next Generations Learning Spaces (achieving greater learning ROI with innovative pedagogy, spaces, and technology). This conference is a platform for education peers (higher education and universities and K-12 international schools) to explore innovative ways to design (or redesign) learning spaces effectively and efficiently. (See below for example of Monday afternoon’s workshop).

Update on Flansburgh Architects Workshop 2 – September 2019

In September, when Flansburgh Architects return, they will focus on the spatial relationship between programs and facilities. We will have the opportunity to work with physical blocks representing every space, program and relationship. How exciting!

Legal Permit for Phase 1

We are still waiting on Phase 1 legal permit. Thank you for your ongoing patience with this process.

Monday’s Workshop D Topic: Transforming Learning Spaces to Enhance Student Learning

This step-by-step interactive workshop focused on how Singapore American School is transforming classrooms into language space, mathematics space, project studios, common planning spaces, etc.

The Key Learning Outcomes were:

·         Designing new collaborative areas with flexibility in mind

·         Clearly defining the desired outcomes of the new space and determining ways to gather evidence

·         Engaging with stakeholders during the planning process and gathering feedback from stakeholders in the new space

·         Looking beyond the space: Aligning structures and pedagogical practices to the physical space

The insights that Wai Mun and I gained, and will continue to gain, will be very helpful in our work with Flansburgh and with the community as we engage in our program and places planning process.

Henry Ford said, “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.” So, even though I am a year older this week, I feel feel energized and youthful as I have experienced a wonderful few days of learning at this conference and at the Wellness Summit that took place at SAS this weekend.  It will be a pleasure to share all of this learning with you.

See you on Thursday!

All good wishes,
Catriona