"Can you imagine a school without desks? A school where children are moving as part of their lessons? And most importantly, they are smiling and healthy?" asks Mayo Clinic obesity researcher James Levine, M.D., Ph.D. If so, you have imagined the latest anti-obesity concept-project from Mayo Clinic — the classroom of the future. [1]
James Levine is proposing new innovative concepts (listed below) which can be integrated into the non-traditional classroom. Some of these ideas have the potential to reduce obesity while allowing learning to be fun. Please tell me what you think about some of these concepts?
1) Video-streamed "pod-casting" as a teaching aid
2) "Learn 'n Move" bays — a step beyond traditional learning stations
3) Wireless technology
4) Personalized laptop computers
5) Vertical magnetic work spaces that double as projection screens
6) Innovative telemetry that collects data for scientific comparison
7) Personalized white boards (instead of one large blackboard for a room)
8) "Standing" desks — where the children will stand and work, rather than sit
Check out the entire article at
http://www.mayoclinic.org/news2006-rst/3278.html
[1] (Tuesday, March 14, 2006).Mayo Clinic Obesity Researchers Test "Classroom of the Future. Mayo Clinic News Releases, Copyright ©2001-2009 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All Rights Reserved.
Hi Kim,
ReplyDeleteI had read about "chairless" classrooms previously and I think they're a great idea. I find the entire concept of this future classroom fascinating...
Carol
Hey Kim,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the article: ) Isn't technology awesome? It can even solve society's obesity problems; )
Cheers,
JP
The idea of a chairless classroom sounds so good! As a sub, I had some kids who just wanted to stand up during class, and I was totally ok with that. Whatever helps them learn, right? It's so good that researchers are beginning to explore these methods as viable learning tools for the classroom!
ReplyDeleteHey Kim, you really put some thought and work into the design of your blog. It looks awesome. The article and your summary are terrific. Nice start.
ReplyDeleteThis is an inspired connection with the initial "visualize your ideal classroom/technology" assignment, Kim. In the spirit of some of what was discussed in the video, etc. about responding to today's learners in terms of their learning styles, it seems *at least* as important to think about how we respond to the physical needs of kids.
ReplyDeleteKeep exploring this topic, okay?
Kim, your blog page looks impressive - professional and on target. How did you add in all the extras?
ReplyDeleteWow! Kim your blog page is awesome! I enjoyed the link the "learn and move" article.
ReplyDeleteWow! How interesting. Standing desks sounds like torture to me, but what an interesting concept. What a great way to start working to incorporate a kinesthetic model into learning/teaching!
ReplyDeleteYour use of an outside source was great. I like many of the concepts in the classroom you outline. However, you outline it as Levine's, not your own. So is there anything you would change, add, dismiss, keep?
ReplyDelete