Some slides based on a presentation to a church-group Gateshead, June 2008 by Ray Tolley

Many millions of pounds are being invested in schools, but…

Is the technology shaping the learning or is the learning shaping the technology? Image bought: royalty free from Dreamstime.com

The following slides attempt to identify some of the key influences on Teaching & Learning. Starting with classroom strategies, the tools we use, our attitudes to 24/7/365 VLE access, and parental voice, where does the architect come into the circle? Image bought: royalty free from Dreamstime.com

Lesson Objectives Homework Resources Work Guides Groupwork Plenary For too long teachers have always been in control of learning. “ This is what we are going to do and this is how we will do it. You have 55 minutes left to complete the task!” But no more, things are changing. Image bought: royalty free from Dreamstime.com

We might begin to say to our students, “ Here is a map, decide where you are on the map and choose the target that you want to get to. Decide how you will get there and the tools and methods you will use for success.” Image bought: royalty free from Dreamstime.com

For too long we have expected the same standards of behaviour from everyone. We have expected them all to work at the same speed, use the same resources and accept our opinions as the only opinions. Image bought: royalty free from Dreamstime.com

More often we might hope that an inspector would walk into our room to see this…. Every child or small group, doing their own thing but all busily involved, all knowing what they are doing and to what purpose. Image bought: royalty free from Dreamstime.com

In many schools teachers would ask rhetorical questions, knowing which pupils will have their hands up first. Many schools are now using a ‘no-hands’ policy – it certainly puts the whole class into a state of alertness. Image bought: royalty free from Dreamstime.com

Not only teachers, but ‘Other Adults’ such as Learning Assistants, Librarians, Technicians, SEN staff, and visiting adults all have an input. Students, equally, have opportunity to pop out of lessons in order to see such staff or access resources not in their own classroom. Image bought: royalty free from Dreamstime.com

A large sports hall converted into a cyber café for pupils in school.

New technology being used in a conventional classroom layout. Why the need for such formality unless the class is still following traditional didactic styles? Who owns the learning? Image bought: royalty free from Dreamstime.com

Students engrossed in personalised learning. For 45 years I have always taught through project work or ‘problem solving’. No better antidote to plagiarism than doing work which is ‘owned’, motivated and original. Image bought: royalty free from Dreamstime.com

Where and when do students learn best? Jay Cross sheds some interesting insights into the workplace and what makes for good productivity in his book, ‘Informal Learning’. Some students log-on even at 3.00 am! Image bought: royalty free from Dreamstime.com

What tools do our pupils use? Even from an early age children use or possess and are comfortable with many different devices. Older students have their iPhones, MP3 players and Blackberries. Image bought: royalty free from Dreamstime.com

And what of the software? Gone are the days when ICT lessons were dominated by MS Office. ‘Free’ tools, Open Social Software are THE tools, collaboration and richer learning all available on a variety of devices.

When do pupils start to learn? We see various adverts about children copying the habits of their parents. In terms of teaching and learning it is no surprise that many children expect to be using computers pre-school.

Accreditation of Prior Learning at 4 years old? What do schools know of the support parents and carers provide out of school hours? Or for that matter how much do parents know about modern teaching methods in schools?

And what of assessment? The grammatical root of ‘assessment’ is about ‘sitting alongside’ someone. The joy and pride of ownership is something which teachers understand to be a very powerful factor in learning. Image bought: royalty free from Dreamstime.com

Teaching and learning is no longer confined to the school day or building. VLEs make access available to pupils, staff, parents, 24/7. Home schooling is the best solution for some. And what of children or families who are always on the move? Children at school can often benefit from the interest and support shown by parents and carers at home. Image bought: royalty free from Dreamstime.com

Perhaps one thing that will come to be the major influence in teaching and learning is not the teacher, furniture or architectural layout but rather the ability of students to be in control of their learning and to be able to celebrate best practice - using an e-Portfolio?

As one recent commentator said: " Whilst I agree that these buildings are fantastic, the architecture and design do not make the education. Unless the workforce within these new buildings is also of the new generation of educational thinking little will happen. Similarly, place a group of creative and forward thinking educators in an old Victorian building with a few contemporary resources and they can transform learning within hours.”