Sunday, December 20, 2015

Turn today’s classrooms into #InclusiveSpaces

Students spend an average of 12,000 hours in the classroom in their lifetime, and these hours are important. Not only does time spent in the classroom impact student learning, but studies show that the physical layout of those classrooms (variables including use of light, color and wall space) have a significant impact on student behavior, motivation and achievement. For example: did you know that students who are exposed to more daylight in the classroom score up to 26% higher on math and science than students who less exposure to light? Design sure does empower learning.


However, there is a gap between what studies say make a successful classroom and what teachers are able to do within their walls. Constraints such as budget, classroom size, number of students and district access to resources all play a part in whether or not teachers are able to design their classrooms to meet the needs of all students. 

USC Rossier School of Education’s online teaching degree is shining a light on that gap, calling on teachers and members of the education community to demonstrate what today’s classrooms need to become inclusive spaces. 

#InclusiveSpaces: Classroom Design for Every Learner is a grassroots campaign running throughout 2016 that encourages teachers to show how their classroom either a) meets the needs of all students or b) how their classroom could be more inclusive. Do you have a 1:1 iPad ratio for your classes? Do you have more students than desks? The first step in having equal access to resources is to demonstrate the real resources in today’s real classrooms.


How you can participate:

  • Write an original op-ed for your personal blog, local newspaper or professional organization's publication. Your article should address the following question: How can today's classrooms become inclusive learning environments?
  • Share your inclusive space on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Take a picture of your classroom (without students) and include the tag #InclusiveSpaces. Show how your classroom meets the needs of your students — or, tell us what you'd like to change about your space to make it more inclusive. Tag USC Rossier Online on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
  • Email a link to your story to michelle.manno@usc.edu for your Inclusive Space to be shared on the university’s blog.


2 comments:

  1. Dear Mr Eric:
    We definitely need you down here in Buenos Aires!
    Happy Holidays!
    Best wishes to you and your loved ones!
    Fabiana Casella

    ReplyDelete