GSE2x:  Leaders  of  Learning  Professor  Richard  Elmore  

Modes  of  Design  Page  1  of  2  

 

             

         

Access    • A  variety  of  learners  require  entry  into  these  learning  spaces.  Typically  learners  are  organized  

according  to  age  and  ability,  as  defined  by  the  institution.    Borders  &  Boundaries    

• Distinguish  between  those  who  are  allowed  into  the  space  and  those  who  are  not.  • Reinforce  the  roles  of  teachers  as  experts  and  students  as  learners.  

Locations  for  Learning  • Specific  places  are  defined  by  the  institution  as  appropriate  for  learning.  For  example,  classrooms,  

run  by  teachers,  who  use  textbooks,  blackboards,  and  some  digital  resources.    Transmission  of  Learning  

• Travels  from  teacher  to  the  individual  student,  and  is  physically  expressed  through  seating  arrangements  (desks,  often  organized  in  rows),  the  position  of  the  teacher  at  the  front  of  the  room,  and  different  classrooms  for  different  subjects.    

 

Access    • A  variety  of  learners  committed  to  the  communal  goals  require  access  to  this  learning  space.  • Members  of  the  larger  community,  also  committed  to  the  communal  goals,  require  access.  

Borders  &  Boundaries    • Distinguish  between  those  who  are  allowed  in  the  learning  space  and  those  who  are  not.  • Allow  entry  to  community  members  who  support  the  collective  mission  of  the  organization.    • Encourage  students  to  engage  with  the  larger  community,  in  relation  to  the  learning  goals.    • Reinforce  the  roles  of  teachers,  students,  parents  as  community  members,  with  teachers  as  experts  

and  students  as  learners.  Locations  for  Learning  

• Specific  places  are  defined  by  the  institution  as  appropriate  for  learning.  For  example,  classrooms,  run  by  teachers,  but  also  cultural  centers,  non-­‐profits,  businesses,  and  other  organizations  in  the  larger  community.    

Transmission  of  Learning    • Travels  from  teacher  to  the  individual  student  and  from  student  to  student,  and  is  physically  

expressed  through  seating  arrangements  (circles),  and  other  physical  choices  that  promote  collective  work.    

GSE2x:  Leaders  of  Learning  Professor  Richard  Elmore  

Modes  of  Design  Page  2  of  2  

   

       

 

Access  • Both  physical  and  digital  spaces  must  be  easy  to  access  and  use  in  order  to  maintain  learner  

engagement  and  prevent  attrition  of  learners.  

Borders  &  Boundaries  • Give  learners  autonomy  to  determine  their  level  of  commitment  to  and  engagement  with  learning.    • The  learning  organization  determines  whether  or  not  interactions  among  learners  are  part  of  the  

official  learning  experience.  However,  learners  have  the  autonomy  to  create  unofficial  spaces  for  learner-­‐to-­‐learner  communication,  outside  the  formally  designed  learning  spaces.  

 Locations  for  Learning    

• Learning  can  happen  solely  in  the  spaces  designed  by  the  learning  organization  or  can  incorporate  other  spaces,  tools,  or  apps  that  may  facilitate  learning.    

• The  learning  organization  makes  decisions  about  where  learning  should  happen,  but  these  are  always  overruled  by  the  actions  of  the  learner.    

Transmission  of  Learning    • Physical  and  digital  designs  must  facilitate  the  transfer  of  information  and  knowledge  to  the  

individual.  The  individual  provides  feedback  to  the  learning  organization,  which  can  lead  to  design  improvements.    

 Access  

• Can  be  restricted  to  network  members  or  open  to  the  world  —  or  somewhere  in-­‐between.  Ease  of  entry  and  membership  responsibilities  are  determined  and  maintained  by  network  members.    

Borders  &  Boundaries  • Allow  relationships  to  form  between  the  network  and  its  environment,  the  network  and  the  larger  

community,  and  sometimes  between  new  and  senior  members.      

Location  of  Learning  • Learning  can  happen  solely  in  the  spaces  created  by  the  network  or  can  incorporate  other  spaces,  

tools,  or  apps  that  may  facilitate  learning.  This  is  determined  by  the  network.    

Transmission  of  Learning    • Physical  and  digital  designs  facilitate  the  knowledge-­‐sharing,  learning,  operations,  and  management  

of  the  network.