Designing+the+Learning+Environment

The 21st century learning environment is a shift from teacher centered, "applied educational experience" to learner-centered or "as active partner" (Rudd, Gifford, Morrison, & Facer, 2006, p. 5; Lackney, 2003). One word or concept used to describe this change is personalization. According to Rudd et al., personalization suggests a need to reconfigure educational systems to better reflect the needs of the learner and move away from a one-size-fits-all solution" (2006). With this shift comes the discussion of what kind of learning space will meet the needs of active learners or a reconsideration of the formal learning environment (Ibid.) When, where, with whom, and how active learners will learn are questions that need to be considered in designing learning environments of the 21st century.

Lackney’s (2000) thirty-three educational design principles greatly influence our ideal school and classroom design. As a foundation, the school and classroom must “be learner-centered,developmentally- and age-appropriate, safe, comfortable, accessible, flexible, and equitable in addition to being cost effective” (Lackney, 2000, p.1).

Below is a video by //Xtranormal.com// that highlights the technologically national based benchmarks for learning that are tied tot he international benchmarks that were created by the International Education Consortium. These benchmarks highlight the curriculum and education of the future, which is completely software based and achievable at any age.

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