“Do you want to build prototypes for future classrooms?” ..Yes!
Project FLEx is a collaboration between the Ministry of Education and Government Technology Agency. A five-month project supporting the ICT experience in schools— looking beyond technical and infrastructural aspects to consider how schools can move towards blended learning in the classroom.
We worked with three schools of different characteristics and needs. Our field work involved observing and interviewing teachers, students and various experts.
Characterising our teachers and students
We create a toolkit to informing teachers, and had ideas for them to implement.
It was a starting point that could be build upon and tested. Feedback was gathered with the teachers and eventually a bigger sample at a teaching conference (iCTLT 2018).
Physical, Digital and Audio
Working with an illustrator, I designed the physical toolkit and the final project report.
One of the schools wanted to remodel their library with discussion rooms due to the growing focus on collaborative work. By aligning their needs, we asked ourselves how spaces in schools might change in the future.
The initial plan was to build rooms that had a table, 4 chairs and whiteboard walls.
Using principles from our research about learning spaces, we co-created a prototype with the library club. Our belief was that “Comfortable students are productive students”.
“What.. this looks a bedroom. Can we even do this?”
— Student (when discussing our vision)
Over 2 weeks, we made several adjustments based on feedback and observations. We also consulted acoustic specialists and looked at other library spaces.
At the end of it, we shared our learnings and recommendations. The library club started fundraising and construction began year-end.
I was really happy with the go-ahead for the proposed space— Creating a useful space the library club members would be proud of.
Project Flex was also an opportunity to practice what I knew in theory and as a dad the ability to influence the future for children.
TEAM
Project Lead: Melisa
Education Expert: Louis
Research: Si Hui, Daniel
Prototype Builder: Andrew
Illustration: Nat
Intern: Melissa, Isabelle