Learning environments that develop the senses of symphony
and design and therefore support more innovative thinking:
- Support project work – tables, students working in groups, collaboration, product or portfolio assessment (all aid in synthesis, pattern recognition – symphony).
- Use technology – web 2.0 tools, access to the internet (technology makes design accessible)
- Are Guided not Directed – teachers have to use their “whole new mind” to conduct the learning symphony.
- Are Flexible (i.e. are well designed) – developing both sides of the brain at once is messy, learning is messy. It is often also loud and chaotic. Not all students will be sitting down and quietly independently working most of the time. Good design sometimes comes quickly, sometimes is difficult and requires rework. The school structure, curriculum, administration has to allow flexibility for this. They also have to be customizable to individual students and groups of students.
- Model – design and symphony senses can be developed with access to good examples. The learning environment needs to be well designed. The curriculum needs to be integrated. The culture in all pieces of the environment needs to be consistent.
I like the idea of modeling and access to good examples as an important component of symphony. It provides the students with a starting point. A bit of structure is necessary, so often we get lost in an overly abstract idea. This type of modeling would provide a framework with enough flexibility.
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