All students learn differently and a pilot project in six Rocky View schools is helping children determine what works for them.
The Universal Learning Environments: Improving Learning for Each Learner project was launched in 2011.
It is currently underway in École Edwards Elementary in Airdrie as well as, Chestermere Lake Middle, Glenbow Elementary, Rainbow Creek Elementary, Cochrane High and Springbank Community High. Teachers from École Edwards attended the March 15 Rocky View Schools’ board meeting to update trustees on the progress of the project.
“Rocky View Schools has been on a transformational journey to create 21st Century learners,” said Joan Kollewyn, 21st Century learning specialist.
“Emerging technology permits us to manipulate the environment to the needs of each learner.”
Teachers in each school were encouraged to design their own projects that were aligned with similar goals. École Edwards’ teachers chose to create Collaborative Learning Environments with personalized experiences to make lessons relevant to each student.
Seventy-six Grade 4 French Immersion students are taking part in the pilot.
The school uses three learning environments: open spaces, double classrooms and normal classrooms to assess which environment each student learns in best. Students use iPod and iPad applications to help read, write, create videos, take pictures, solve math problems and learn language.
“We are finding that students are going above and beyond because they are excited about what they are doing and sharing it with their peers,” said Grade 4 École Edwards’ teacher Jill Masson.
“The students get to decide how they learn. They figure out what works for them and what doesn’t and that gives them power to have control over their learning.”
Superintendent Greg Bass said education is moving beyond pencils and paper.
“We are asking teachers to be 21st Century teachers,” he said.
“What we seeing are passionate teachers who are collaborative and personalizing learning for students. Teachers today are leading by example and becoming what we want students to become.”
“It is amazing to see the students really becoming self directed and seeking out what works for them,” said Grade 4 École Edwards’ teacher Julia MacDonald.
Teachers are posting materials, students work and the successes and failures of the project on a website that will be accessible to all Rocky View Schools teaching staff.
“This is helping students to understand that everyone learns in a different way and that’s OK,” said Masson.
Airdrie Trustee Sylvia Eggerer commended the teachers for their work in overcrowded classrooms..
“This is an example of being given lemons and making lemonade,” she said.
“We all know École is full and then some and you are working in the music room. You have taken the lack of space and made it into something awesome. This is amazing to me. I’ve been in education for a long time and we have been trying to break down doors for years. You are literally doing that and it really benefits your students.”
The pilot program is helping educators open new doors, said Masson.
“This gives us an opportunity to learn what’s out there for them,” she said.
