Collaboration Station in the RJE Learning Commons

My Students

We are acquiring more and more technology at RJE, mobile technology, in particular. While this is exciting, we struggle to find spaces for students to use it. I feel that if we have a fun, kid friendly space that will facilitate an environment of collaboration and teamwork, kids will flock to it!

RJE has 636 students, and they are very social.

They love to play together and work together. In fact, teachers encourage students to work together to encourage cooperation and compromise. It also allows our students to learn from one another. They like the affiliation aspect of learning. My goal is to use our collaboration station area for working in groups, particularly with technology. We are fortunate to have many iPads on our campus that are intended for student use. With the collaboration station, students could use our tablets or other devices and collaboratively work on a project. They could even use this shared space to visit and communicate with students outside of our campus via Skype or Face Time. The furniture that I am requesting will facilitate a coworking environment and encourage children to work together and use our mobile technology in a collaborative, cooperative way. I would be thrilled to offer my students this modern learning space for their studies.

My Project

I want to provide a book store or coffee house setting that will appeal to our 21st century learners as well as accommodate discussions and our mobile technology. I am requesting a 5 piece Wesco Modular Square Soft Seater that sits low to the ground and will accommodate up to 8 students and/or staff. Each piece is a bright color and there is a center piece for materials and such. Currently, we have rectangular tables, which are well suited for classes and meetings, but they are not ideal for a small group, who may want to meet privately and/or have small group discussions. With the furniture that I am requesting, the seating will be perfect for small groups that are working on a project together, and a perfect place for students to use mobile technology together. If RJE receives this seating option, I will complete the collaboration station by adding a stationary iPad. I want to provide our students with furniture that will be fun and colorful.

Schools must align their classroom environments with real world environments in order to prepare our students for the future.

To do that, schools must practice the 4 Cs: critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity. My students need a go to space to work together that will allow them to talk, ask questions, and practice their critical thinking skills. I want to provide a setting that will appeal to our 21st century learners and accommodate collaboration at its finest!