Through transformative discussions, visual brainstorming, and artistic problem solving, Forum participants sought to shift their thinking beyond the stereotypical and design elegant environments for education. During the opening Orientation session Wednesday evening, participants were divided into teams of six and introduced to aspects of learning environments (affective atmospheres, pedagogy, social environments, physical settings, and virtual space).
Team Building
Thursday morning at the Challenger Learning Center, participants engaged in team-building challenges addressing shared leadership while working within limitations. They also experienced the Voyage to Mars simulation working both in Mission Control and the Mars transport vehicle.
Design Session 1
Tursday afternoon, each team determined their target learners, and the purpose and type of learning environment they wanted to design. They discussed planning and design strategies and explored affective aspects of learning environments.
Viewpoints
Delegates from each team attended one of five Viewpoint sessions: Well-being facilitated by Polly Curtis, Libraries presented by Theresa Liedtka, Online Learning led by Leslie Jensen-Inman, Cognitive Psychology conducted by John M. Haworth, and Interior Design presented by Sandy Hausler.
Design Session 2
Teams discussed relevant ideas from the Viewpoints sessions and explored pedagogy, social environments, physical settings, and virtual space in relation to their learningscape designs.
Field Trips
Friday morning, each team sent one member to visit five Chattannoga organizations to broaden recognition of the diversity of learningscapes and the power of partnerships. The sites included Battle Academy, Chenoweth.Halligan Studios, CreateHere, Creative Discovery Museum, and Signal Centers.
Design Session 3
Teams discussed relevant ideas from the community field trips, considered qualities of aesthetics and elegance, finalized their learningscape designs, documented their design process, and prepared presentations highlighting their work.
Presentations
Each team shared their learningscape design with the rest of the Forum participants.
Intersections
Commonalities and differences among learningscape designs were discussed.
Reflections
Participants reflected on ideas and lessons learned during the Forum.
