Last Wednesday our ECMP class had the privilege of welcoming Dean Shareski as a substitute into our class. Dean split us into groups and shared with us some different Design slides. My group was given The following called Design Matters:
I thought this video was very well put together and definitely allowed me to pick out some key elements of design principles such as:
Instruction and Classroom Design- Dean reflected on society’s instilled image of what a school should look like and how it should be designed. A tall brick building classrooms filled with desks etc. are a few that come to mind. However the most important part of this principle is steering away from tradition and focusing on learning. School’s should be designed on creating opportunities for learning and creativity rather than limiting.
Planning- planning is such an important principle to use with students no matter the assignment/ project. Pre-planning makes a world of a difference in the end project. When given an assignment we often brainstorm how perfect it will look in our head and as we go along. In reality how often does it turn out like you imagined when transferring from your head to the screen, as Dean says, without pre-planning, your students are simply wasting time. Planning gives students a purpose and gives a teacher opportunity for assessment and help.
Imagery- I think that imagery is an important design principle simply because we are becoming a world so heavily dependent on images, and making them a part of our every day lives, We are becoming a more visual society. Incorporating visual imagery into presentations etc. can make a world of a difference in the quality as well captivating the attention etc. I’m sure if a toll was taken as to which engaged a student better text or visual, obviously visual would lead.
White Space- Back in my elementary days, teachers always stressed the importance of leaving no white spaces in posters, pictures etc. Every space should be filled up they would say. However I liked Dean’s view on white space. He explained the importance of white space. The quote “less is more” sums it up, by having less and keeping that white space, it allows us to shed light on what’s really important in the picture. If you have so much going on and not an inch of white space, it’s hard to grasp what the central idea really is. The white space principle creates emphasis on your topic.
frieshar Said:
on June 3, 2008 at 11:25 pm
Thanks for the summary. I really enjoyed his class as well and learned a lot from him. I’ve taken a few art classes so not everything was new to me but the concept of applying design to the classroom and to assignments was intriguing. He talked about the classroom being a studio with a master learner rather than a teacher (the fount of all knowledge). I’ve already begun to imagine ways to create that kind of atmosphere in my classroom in the fall.
Alec Couros Said:
on June 8, 2008 at 10:38 pm
Thanks for the summary Jayla. Well done!
Lisa Parisi Said:
on June 8, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Jayla, you summarized well. I wonder how you will institute these ideas in your own classroom. This might not be so easy..especially the first about classroom design. Furniture given upon entering a room can tend to limit one’s design concepts.