Synopses & Reviews
How to optimize educational spaces, both physical and virtual, for more effective learningThe design of classroom spaces is one of the overlooked issues in education. Poorly designed physical environments can impede learning, while well-designed spaces can enhance it. From the Campfire to the Holodeck gives teachers and administrators concrete advice and insight on redesigning or optimizing educational spaces to improve student engagement, enable project-based learning, incorporate technology into the classroom, and encourage student-led learning.
Author David Thornburg argues that in order to engage all students, facilities should offer a balance of Campfire spaces (home of the lecture), Watering Holes (home to conversations between peers), Caves (places for quiet reflection), and Life (places where students can apply what they've learned). From the Campfire to the Holodeck offers practical guidance on designing these beneficial spaces for optimal learning.
- Addresses the effects of physical spaces on learning, offering an overdue examination of an issue that is vitally important yet often overlooked
- Features specific, actionable advice appropriate for teachers and school administrators
- Written by award-winning futurist, author, and educational consultant David Thornburg
A vitally important aspect of school reform, the design of educational spaces can mean the difference between student engagement and indifference. From the Campfire to the Holodeck offers practical guidance for maximizing the learning opportunities for any and every student.
Synopsis
Physical environments that impede learning hurt both students and teachers. This book shows how the old campfire (lecture hall) model needs to be modified to engage students, reach a diverse student population, provide opportunties for project-based learning, and better integrate technology.
Synopsis
How to optimize educational spaces and teaching practices for more effective learningAuthor David Thornburg, an award-winning futurist and educational consultant, maintains that in order to engage all students, learning institutions should offer a balance of Campfire spaces (home of the lecture), Watering Holes (home to conversations between peers), Caves (places for quiet reflection), and Life (places where students can apply what they've learned). In order to effectively use technology in the classroom, prepare students for future careers, and incorporate project-based learning, all teachers should be moving from acting as the "sage on the stage" to becoming the "guide on the side."
Whether you are a school administrator interested in redesigning your school or a teacher who wants to prepare better lessons, From the Campfire to the Holodeck can help by providing insight on how to:
- Boost student engagement
- Enable project-based learning
- Incorporate technology into the classroom
- Encourage student-led learning
From the Campfire to the Holodeck is designed to help schools move from traditional lecture halls (Campfires) where students just receive information to schools that encourage immersive student-centered learning experiences (Holodecks).
About the Author
David Thornburg is an award-winning futurist, author, and consultant and the head of the Thornburg Center, a group that focuses on emerging technologies and their impact on learning. In addition to his work with technology, David also consults on the relationship between classroom design and learning.
Table of Contents
Foreword Prakash Nair vii
About the Author xiii
Acknowledgments xv
Introduction xvii
1 The Problem with Traditional Classrooms 1
2 Campfires 11
3 Watering Holes 17
4 Caves 23
5 Life 31
6 The Challenge of Technology 37
7 Technological Campfires 51
8 Technological Watering Holes 65
9 Technological Caves 77
10 Technological Life Spaces 85
11 Learning on the Holodeck 105
Notes 127
Index 133