Given growing systemic investment in the designing of new learning spaces, researching the relationships between physical space and learning and teaching processes is imperative. Researching innovative learning spaces is challenging, therefore the aim of this paper is to demonstrate a pedagogical characterization based on a three-dimensional…

For 20 years, the author has promoted constructing today's schools with the future in mind, yet as many school districts begin planning for the year 2050, he is starting to think this foresight/forethought might actually be a distracting course of action. Some districts may try to plan so far into the future that they neglect the present. But,…

Because of the nature of their subject, technology teachers have found ways to make learning active and exciting, often through new activities and projects that have real-world relevance. As technology fields grow, the success of technology teachers is tied in with innovation rather than the accomplishments of the past. This book provides a…

A selected reference list is presented of 94 source publications of interest to architects contemplating employing systematic methods in the execution of professional services involving planning, programing, and design. The publication is divided into four major topical areas--(1) architectural design, (2) design (general), (3) decision making,…

The two essays contained in this discussion paper examine means for determining alternatives to formal education. "The Strategic Uses of Comparative Learning Environments" assumes that different environments are conducive to accomplishing different goals. In the future there is a need to find out more about the structural properties and…

Presents the 10 educational facility award winners of the Impact on Learning Award for 1999 and explains the ways they demonstrate how real-world problems can be solved with innovative design. The design challenge facing each facility and a critique of how it was met accompanies each entry. (GR)

From an educational perspective, involving students in school design provides a rich learning experience. Students must reflect on the world around them and develop practical solutions to everyday problems. Design-based activities make them think about the learning environment, prompting them to consider where and why they learn best. Such…

Presents awardees of the School Planning & Management magazine's third annual "Impact on Learning Award" given to architectural firms whose K-12 school facilities have solved real-world problems through design, engineering, and technology solutions. Each selection presents the design challenge faced and its solution along with project details. (GR)

A survey sent out by the Council of Educational Facility Planners International asked for information about specific site problems that have been encountered and solutions for dealing with these problems. Nineteen submissions include contact names and phone numbers. (MLF)

While many aspects of school design have changed over the years, unfortunately the process to find the best architect is the same in many ways today as it was 20 years ago. Design teams announce how many schools they have designed, show lots of pretty photographs and list what each team member will do on the project. Education is a business and…

Aspects of decline that affect architecture--enrollment, resources, facility condition, funding, the educator's role, and the architect's role--were discussed by workshop participants. Specific solutions included building conversion, master plans, an energy bond referendum, and a regional school concept. (Author/MLF)

For the most part schools are deplorable energy wasters, but by observing a few simple conservation practices they could pace the nation toward easing its tense energy situation. (Editor)

The school design process depends on open communication and the participation of various constituencies or customers. Today's architects use a variety of strategies to make sure they build the schools communities want. Describes approaches used by three architects. (MLF)

The American Institute of Architect's Committee on Architecture for Education convened for a conference addressing the urban school relative to quality of public education for all students, entitlement and privilege, community ideology, racial tensions, and the reopening and refurbishing of aging facilities. This report presents synopses of the…

Outlines a five-step process to help school and community members in planning the initial phases of a new school: (1) establish a realistic planning timeline; (2) select a design team with diverse perspectives; (3) develop a sense of team/community among design-team members; (4) develop a vision for a new facility; and (5) select an architect.…