Recently I had the chance to design what I think the ultimate computer lab should look like. A 21st-century computer lab meets the needs of every student because it has both technology-based and non-technology-based activities. In creating the ultimate lab, I would have a stationary space and a mobile cart for classroom activities. This is a type of library commons. For those unfamiliar with the term, library commons share space for digital learning, collaboration, content creation, and social learning (Johnston et al., 2022). My library commons include spaces for personal, collaborative, and social learning.
It is crucial to use space wisely in library commons (Johnston et al., 2022) because each area has a specific purpose. You can see from the floor plan image that each space is large enough for multiple students to use, providing materials and material storage. In addition, each area includes an interactive flat-panel television for instructional and collaborative learning purposes.
Creativity abounds in this lab! I envision this space as a creative area where students express their learning through various technology and non-technology activities. The floor plan shows robotics, makerspace, video, and personal work areas with movable tables for social and collaborative learning.
This lab includes a variety of robots - Sphero, Dash, Cue, Sphero Indi, and Ozobots - controlled by free apps installed on iPads. The makerspace provides non-technology activities where students are creatively solving real-world problems. Makerspace activities are essential in library commons because they provide opportunities to innovate and collaborate, teach perseverance, and build critical thinking and problem-solving skills (Sanfilippo et al., 2022). In video and image-making projects, students use language arts and content area knowledge to create videos and images highlighting learning. Robotics and VR are crucial to include in learning because they enhance learning through collaboration, engagement, and content immersion (Alzahrani, 2020; Gubenko et al., 2021; Sanfilippo et al., 2022). Not to mention that kids love using these technologies to enhance their learning!
The mobile lab holds robots, VR headsets, and a variety of makerspace materials so students can immediately apply concepts in their classrooms. Makerspace materials include Kiva planks, Legos, a portable Lego wall, bristle blocks, puffy snowflake blocks, and other recycled and consumable materials. The mobile lab is customizable for each teacher to pull materials from the stationary lab to suit the needs of their students in learning the academic objectives. The beauty of a mobile lab is the immediate application of classroom concepts. The immediacy of connections helps students construct knowledge (Johnston et al., 2022). The total cost for this ultimate lab comes to $38,349. What would you include if you had a spare $40,000 to spend on an ultimate learning lab?
ReferencesAlzahrani, N. M. (2020). Augmented reality: A systematic review of its benefits and challenges in e-learning contexts. Applied Sciences, 10(6), Article 5660. https://doi.org/10.3390/app10165660
Gubenko, A., Kirsch, C., Smilek, J. N., Lubary, T., & Housemand, C. (2021). Educational robotics and robot creativity: An interdisciplinary dialogue, Frontiers in Robotics and AI, 8, Article 662030. https://doi.org/10.3389/frobt.2021.662030
Johnston, K., Kervin, L., & Wyeth, P. (2022). STEM, STEAM, and makerspaces in early childhood: A scoping review. Sustainability, 14(20), Article 13533. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013533
Sanfilippo, F., Blazauskas, T., Salvietti, G., Ramos, I., Vert, S., Radianti, J., Majchrzak, T. A., & Oliveria, D. (2022). A perspective review on integrating VR/AR with haptics into STEM education for multi-sensory learning. Robotics, 11(2), 41–61. https://doi.org/10.3390/robotics11020041
Outstanding blog. Very easy to navigate.
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