Link to Teachers Without Borders Initiative & 2 Learning Spaces
Teachers Without Borders Initiative:
The future learning space (FLS) links directly to the Teachers Without Borders (TWB) initiative; Child-friendly spaces.
Each literacy activity presented in the FLS has the ability to be conducted in any environment and uses minimal resources which can be easily accessed. In a crisis, education cannot wait until the dust settles, rather, educators create child-friendly learning spaces to ‘let children be children’ during catastrophes (Teachers Without Borders, 2016).
The highlight of this project in providing a child-friendly learning space is creating activities that provide a safe place for children to play while parents begin rebuilding their lives. Learning through play has proven to develop a child’s imagination, physical, cognitive and emotional strength by interacting with the world around them (Ginsburg, 2007). Along with this, play assists in developing enhanced confidence and resilience needed to face future challenges (Ginsburg, 2007). It is clear that, the presented FLS will support the TWB child-friendly spaces initiative, through the nature of the play-based literacy activities allowing children to create their safe haven.
Link to 2 learning spaces:
Beyond the classroom:
Learning beyond the classroom involves students venturing out of the classroom and interacting with the social environment, to facilitate individual growth and the acquisition of knowledge (Lorenza, 2009). The FLS presented encourages children to learn and play outdoors rather than, in a typical classroom setting. Many of the literacy activities are adaptable and teachers are encouraged to conduct activities in their surrounding environment. This will ultimately provide students with the ability to further recognise and understand the concepts, skills and new language explored in the classroom (Lorenza , 2009).
Group, collaborative, cooperative:
The group, collaborative and cooperative learning environment is explored throughout the FLS as students are interacting with one another during activities to search for understanding, meaning and solutions to a presented task. By engaging in this learning space, children gain teamwork skills by equally cooperating with one another and, improve higher-order and critical thinking skills (Slavin, 2010).
