This innovative classroom (Runrun Shaw Room 321) has been divided over three levels, with a design device to create separate smaller group discussion and foster the development of group collaboration. The whole space is designed to exploit technological practice, each zone has IT access which includes group use of PC, laptop points, external input sources, and a large LCD screen displayed on wall behind each group desk for sharing zone group work to other classmates.
Compared with other two types of classroom:
[Left picture] Lecture Room (more like traditional classroom)
[Right picture] Runme Shaw Room 101 (another type of innovative room)
| | Capacity | Teacher’s Role | Student’s Role | Group Discussion | Class Collaboration |
| RR321 | Small | Facilitator &Project Guide | Active participant& Task monitor | Best (Desk is designed for group discussion) | Not very easy to communicate with classmates due to the separated space |
| LR | Big | Presenter& Speaker | Listener& Thinker | Not good (fixed chair and desk) | Not easy to share views to classmates in class |
| RM101 | Small | Instructor& Consultant | Coordinator& Responder | Good (wheel chair can easily combine group discussion) | Easy to talk with classmates with the flexible wheel chair |
Innovative classrooms (RR321. RM 101) integrated ICT facilities more support student learning collaboratively and actively. These kinds of space are much more suitable for small size of class to discuss and present a topic, while the traditional classroom（a blackboard. a podium and rows of chairs）is more prefer to give a lecture or seminar to multitudinous audience.
However, in RR321, the flexibility of the physical facilities and resources available in the space for students and teacher to use are not very effective, because of the space divide and the glass barriers between each level, which make the disturbance of vision and sound transmission. Furthermore, staff development and training are also crucial to the successful use of this room, whether the teaching style of their own can fit for these advanced equipment is really a question.
The comparation of some classrooms can give a clearer image of the Experimental Classroom in 6024 as well as its advantages and disadvantages. Just as the pictures we showed, the Experimental Classroom of 6024 is very advanced, it is convenient for us to group together and share opinions. As the topic of this course is teaching and learning with IT, the classroom is coincident with the topic of the course. Besides, with the light we can have a clear vision which is also good for our learning. And the white background of the room can give students a bright image and make them learn calmly. There are several screens on the wall of the room, which can let us to see the teachers' lecture more easily.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the classroom also has some disadvantages. For example, the students down stairs of the room will be difficult to participate in the class. Also the design of the classroom makes it difficult for students to hear the teacher or other group without microphone.
The multifunction classroom release students from the traditional teacher-centered boring class to the student-centered class. By using the innovative classroom 321 in Run Run Shaw, students are divided into several groups and the group communication is promoted compared to the traditional classroom. Except for the space aspect, the electric devices in the innovative classroom is much more advanced than others. Students can create more possibilities by using the new computers. The large screens on the wall boosts the effect to the whole classroom. What's more, the innovative classroom also have disadvantages. For example, group between group lack communication.
ReplyDeleteI think may be teachers can use these classrooms flexibly. We don't have to stay in the same class for all the term. May be we can change the classrooms to have classes according to the learning period. Traditional classrooms can be used for teachers to transmitte knowledge which is at the beginning of the course. And then changed to the innovative classroom and the classroom with mobile-chairs. May be is more complex than before, but can take advantage of those classrooms.
I think the high technology classroom is good way for teachers and students freely in teaching and learning. Every group has a big cricle desk will help the students to commucation will group mates. And the TV on the wall can be used to show someones idea or make all the people now what is going on.
ReplyDeleteBut not all the school can afford such an expensive room I think, is it worthy to build such a room? I have no idea.
I think the high tech classroom has a large amount of advantages than traditional classroom.
ReplyDeleteIn a traditional classroom environment, there are usually anywhere from twenty to thirty children and one teacher. In some cases, that teacher might have a "teacher's aid" or an assistant teacher. This is where the disadvantage starts- it is simply impossible for one person to give each student the one-on-one attention or instruction that may be required.
The traditional classroom environment works well for a large number of children, but there are many others who simply have difficulty learning in this environment, have difficulty interacting with peers that are strictly in their age range, or who require more one-on-one attention and time to grasp certain concepts.
However, I think the disadvantage of high tech classroom is that people may pay more attention on the advanced teaching device, but not the context of the course.