Stephen Heppell’s rule of three

Stephen Heppell is somewhat of a guru when it comes to learning space design and the move to what he terms agile learning environments. In this interview with Trung Le (education designer and involved in The Third Teacher project), he answers the question, “What should the third millennium school look like?”. I like his simple rule of three.

“I have a simple rule of three for third millennium learning spaces:


• No more than three walls so that there is never full enclosure and the space is multifaceted rather than just open.


• No fewer than three points of focus so that the "stand-and-deliver" model gives way to increasingly varied groups learning and presenting together (which by the way requires a radical rethinking of furniture).


• Ability to accommodate three teachers/adults with their children. The old standard size of about 30 students in a box robbed children of so many effective practices; these larger spaces allow for better alternatives.”

Stephen Heppell is going to be at this years Ulearn conference in Rotorua, NZ. I’m looking forward to what he has to say.


Reference

Le, T. (2010). The End of Education Is the Dawn of Learning. Retrieved from http://www.fastcodesign.com/1662358/the-end-of-education-is-the-dawn-of-learning

Image retrieved from http://knowledgebank.global2.vic.edu.au/2008/10/16/stephen-heppell-teaching-and-learning-in-the-online-world/