How Can Educators Create Vibrant Learning Spaces?

Having an environment where the respect for diversity of the children and the adults is imperative for a vibrant learning space. When there is a respectful environment, then both the students and adults will feel safe and comfortable and will be able to teach and learn to the best of their ability. Diversity includes ethnicity, language, religion, socio-economic background and gender identify.   When there is respect for these areas we can think about equality, equity, diversity and inclusion (Watts, 2022).   When all these factors are taken into account then the learning environment will be safe for students. To ensure that there is respect for diversity, teachers should be setting clear expectations around behaviour and make it known and demonstrate that everyone is treated fairly and equitably (Watts, 2022).   Whenever there are interactions that use discriminatory behaviour and language, the teacher should address it and not disregard it as banter because it would...

  The use of field trips can contribute to a vibrant learning space.   Research has shown that “students who directly participate during a field experience generate a more positive attitude about the subject” (Behrendt & Franklin, 2014, p. 235).   Students who may not have previously been interested in an area may discover something that jump starts their curiosity. As a school counsellor, I am often asked to help supervise field trips at my school.   As a supervisor, I have seen time and time again the high levels of engagement and excitement when students are on a field trip.   For example, I went on a field trip to the Museum of Anthropology at UBC with a class of Social Studies students before.   The teacher remarked that many students who usually were not so engaged were asking questions and they were fascinated by the artifacts on display.   They were able to apply learning that they had had in the classroom to the environment, and this dee...

  Collective Responsibility To help create vibrant learning spaces there needs to be a feeling of collective responsibility on two levels. First, is for teachers to share the collective responsibility for the success of each student and in supporting the school.   Hirsh (2010, p. 1) states that “schoolwide and team-based professional learning embedded in the daily work of educators is essential when professionals commit to sharing responsibility for the success of all students”.   At my school this year, our school goal is “connection”.   In previous years, we have had various levels of buy-in regarding the school goal.   However, coming out of the pandemic, and facing significant learning and behaviour challenges last year, we have had much stronger commitment to the school goal that in previous years.   So the collective responsibility is much stronger, and I can see many staff members making a point to engage in activities and learning that moves o...

  When I think of a vibrant learning space, I see the classroom as a place for teamwork and collaboration.   It is so important for students to leave high school with the skills necessary to succeed in today’s world and being able to work well with others is one of the key skills.   I know from my conversations with friends that many of their workplaces rely heavily on collaboration and those without the skills to be able to work in groups fall behind in their advancement in the workplace.   Recently, I was a judge in my school’s business competition.   Students, in groups of 5, had to come up with a product to sell, manufacture the product, and come up with a marketing plan, and execute it to try to make a profit.   The teacher of this class did such an amazing job in scaffolding the students so they were able to execute this project.   The ideas they came up with together were so creative and even though they had many challenges in working together...