The Education Movement - Creating Spaces for Today's Learner

I still remember going to the computer lab in 3rd grade and having to pass a typing program before being allowed to move on to cooler things...like The Oregon Trail and Odell Down Under. Once you passed said program, it was the luck of where you got to sit which allowed you to walk to the front of the room and choose the floppy disk that held the prized games - sometimes you got stuck with math or spelling, sometimes you got to buy oxen. Either way, it was a much different time.

The year was 1992.  Fast forward to 2011 and I don't think too many of today's high schoolers would know what a floppy disk is, much less those in elementary school. The truth is, they have been blessed and cursed with a wide array of technology that allows them to learn things differently than I did 20 years ago. With these new concepts and tools, a shift is trying to be made to accommodate these advancements. There needs to be more flexibility in the classroom and spaces provided to the students. Fortunately, I came across two great articles that expand on these ideas.

San Jose State University posted a blog on Monday about bringing in furniture that meets the needs of today's students. "One Workplace and SJSU worked together to develop a classroom  that meets the needs of 21st century students and teachers, focusing on the ability to deliver and receive content in several different ways" (Amanda Holst).

"If students are sitting in a dynamic and engaged environment, they feel better about coming back to class and are more likely to seek out information and learn outside the classroom" - Mary McVey

I feel that statement makes sense - no kid, aged 4 - 23, wants to walk into a boring classroom. And with so much media and technology available, it's no wonder this shift is occurring. A recent article in the Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce discusses how the school library is getting a face lift, as well. "The new school library must become more than shelves of books and silent reading. It must evolve into an active resource center supporting a more dynamic model of student learning" - Craig Mason

These shifts to a more modern classroom and breaking the mold of the traditional system have been coming up more and more as further technological advancements get made. The great thing about these advancements is that architects and designers, as well as furniture manufacturers have jumped on this shift with open arms and want to provide these students with the best spaces and products possible. Check out this article from Steelcase about Innovation in the classroom for some great insight and research on the topic.

Additionally, while poking around, I found this great blog from a teacher in Australia who's ideas and writings are entertaining as well as intelligent and thought provoking: http://whatedsaid.wordpress.com/

Giving Hospital Patient Rooms a Facelift - Looking Towards the Future

I don't know a single person who likes to go to the hospital...much less have to stay in one for a medical reason. And I don't blame them. First, most people don't want to be sick or hurt and have to stay in a hospital. Second, if it does occur, the hospital room you're staying in is definitely not the Ritz. Oh no, it is a sanitized, tiled, somewhat dark, probably 2 person cold excuse for a room. I know you're there to heal, but it does not ooze with that comforting feeling of your own space that you're used to and would most likely choose to be in if you could.

An article was brought to me this morning from newest edition of O Magazine that our Healthcare Specialist, Anne, and I agreed would be a great step in patient care. Meet Fable Hospital 2.0 - a blueprint for a hosptial created by researchers that would be a most ideal place for a patient to be...

 

Updates would include a more spacious bathroom with double doors so that staff could help more easily. An adaptable headwall allowing for more flexible space and less moving around for the patient. Single rooms for patients ensures more sleep and less likely of spreading diseases. Carpet reduces injuries from falls as well as protects against certain pathogens. Rooms with views of nature or just big windows - studies have shown less medication is used in rooms that are sunny or have views. Additionally, hand sanitizers, sound absorbing ceilings and soothing music would also improve the patient's stay.

The downside to Fable Hospital is the price tag. Lauren Dzubow wrote that these features would increase construction costs by about $29 million. The upside, turn around time on the investment - these upgrades would save you $10 million annually, getting your ROI in 3 years.

Overall, this article makes some great points on where healthcare should be and is going. There are hospitals that have been adapting some of these methods, so here's to hoping that hospitals being built follow this blueprint.

Check out O Magazine! I couldn't find this article on their website, but my next read will be "Making your workday healthier, happier...and oh so fulfilling".  


~ Kendal

What's in your lunch box?

It's 11:55am on a Wednesday morning and you're starving...what are you going to do? If you planned ahead, you're probably hitting up the office refrigerator and digging through various sizes, colors and shapes of bags attempting to find your lunch. If you forgot and/or were running late, you're either going to hit the vending machine or find the closest take out place to enjoy a high calorie, slightly pricey solution to the hunger problem.

Now don't get me wrong - I love hitting a teryaki place as much as the next person. But bringing in a lunch has a lot of benefits to it. For starters, you'll save daily. Sure, $5 a day (hitting a dollar menu somewhere) may not seem like a lot. But that's a minimum of $25 per week, $100 a month, $1200 a year (give or take for holidays and vacations). Additionally, you may think getting that salad is "healthy" - but that creamy dressing or extra meat and cheese isn't helping your diet. There are definitely healthy to go options out there, but without looking at the total nutrition page (so you really want 1500 mg of sodium in your 400 calorie lunch), there are areas you're hurting yourself in you're probably not realizing...and as a previous post I wrote on the negative effects of sitting tells you, you need to help your body as much as you can.

"But Kendal, I don't want to eat a turkey sandwich every day - that's boring!".
"But Kendal, I don't have time for this!"

I understand these arguments. As I currently suffer from boredom and lack of hours in the day, I've found these cool websites to help you plan your lunches. You're welcome!

The Brown Bag Brigade gives some great tips on how to plan for and make some great lunches!

Eating Well has some great, healthy lunch ideas to keep you from getting bored!

Healthy Lunch Ideas is a big blog with a lot of coolness to it...definitely a good idea to explore!

The Office Diet actually gives you a grocery list for 10 days of food...though the cost is in British Pounds.


So remember, bringing your lunch (and snacks!) to work saves you money and gives you healthier options.

Bon Appetit!
Kendal