Focus & Rationale 

My focus and rational is school layout innovation. After attending school in a developing nation and the United States, the idea that school layouts have not changed in decades astonishes me. It is incredible to see 17th century schools in the 21st century. Further more, this is important to me because I a believe in innovation, and the layout of schools should allow for it. Schools should have a temporary nature, and should be pliable to the needs of the teachers and students. I became aware of this issue after comparing my training and working environments in previous careers, outside of education, to the student outdated school layouts. Also, it is practical and significant that schools have the proper layout to provide teachers and students with the access to use the school as a tool. With proper school layouts, more human friction is created and the sparks that expand our minds and push us to success are born. The significance of this issue extends to all school districts, private schools, charter schools, and homeschooling parents, because it addresses the need to modify the outdated layouts of academic environments which deter learners with the inability to further expand and grow.

 

Sources

These are my 5 high quality, professional sources that I will be using for the review of my topic. I have divided them between non journal sources and journal sources.

 

Non Journal Sources

Designing Classroom Space to Better Support 21st Century Learning by McGraw-Hill Research Foundation

    McGraw-Hill is a respectable and known participant in education. Because of their ample influence and reach into education, I believe that their findings will be relevant and realistic.

 

The Place of Virtual, Pedagogic and Physical Space in the 21st Century Classroom. By Stephen Harris

    The Sydney Centre for Innovation in Learning (SCIL) has been actively pushing for the transform of educational thinking by running a range of programs and research projects which expand the learning opportunities for teachers and students. 

 

21st Century Skills: Rethinking How Students Learn by James Bellanca, and Ron Brandt Chapter 6: Designing New Learning Environments to Support 21st Century     Learning Skills. By Bob, Pearlman.

    This is a high quality professional resource because James A. Bellanca is nationally recognized as a practical innovator and is a a leading voice in 21st century skills. Ron Brandt is former editor of publications for (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development) ASCD, and has been a teacher, a principal, a director of staff development, and an associate superintendent. Together, their insight provides powerful information regarding school layouts. 

 

Journals

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

    Journal of Educational Administration

Emerald Group Publishing Limited is a scholarly publisher of academic journals and books in the fields of education, library studies ,management, business, health care, and engineering. It was founded in the United Kingdom in 1967 with its headquarters in Bingley and many worldwide offices, it is a global publisher linking research and practice to the benefit of society. 

 

Learning Environments Research

    Learning Environments Research Journal helps to build understanding of of pre-primary, primary, high school, college and university, and lifelong learning environments. This journal also devotes special attention to out-of-school learning environments and new learning environments created by information technology.

 

The Journal of the New England Board of Higher Education

    The New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE) was founded in 1955 by six New England governors promoting greater educational opportunities. Based on this belief, The New England Journal of Higher Education was born. Now, for more than two decades, it has provided a forum for educators, elected officials, CEOs and others to share new thinking and best practices on topics. College presidents, deans, school superintendents, high school guidance directors, and others are readers, publishers, and users of The New England Journal of Higher Education.