For the the past two years, I have been teaching in our Innovation Lab. Designed as a flexible and collaborative space, the iLab has space for 2-3 classes at the same time and boasts five projector stations with Apple TVs to connect as well as multiple writable walls and table tops. My Algebra 1 class was created to be taught in this environment. Direct instruction is minimized and occurs primarily in small group contexts. Group tasks and individual (but often collaborative) practice are the most common activities.
The first of our iLabs (now used by the middle school) was oriented a bit differently. The high school version has a "small side" and the "campfire side." My class has predominantly met on the small side because it has two whiteboard tables with projectors, one high top semi-writable table with a projector, and the conference room with a projector. We used both the horizontal and vertical writable surfaces at least half of class each day. The chairs are all on wheels and have varying heights to match the tables while the writable tables are also on wheels and moved into different configurations on a regular basis. The campfire side features a long high-top "banana" table plus multiple smaller circular tables, comfy chairs, and a campfire-life sofa in front of a writable desk surface -- all facing final projector station. The sides have varying degrees of flexibility. If I could make any change I wanted, my first would be to make all tabletops writable. That is the students' greatest need at this point.
With larger classes this year, we had to make use of the conference room as a fourth group. Last year I was able to have only three groups and leave the conference room solely for direct instruction. It's harder to do a large group share out when one of the groups is awkwardly standing or sitting because they have to leave their work space. The wall in between (even with a window) impedes their collaboration with other groups while working. The conference room is ideal for small group instruction or as a quiet work space away from the hubbub of the larger room.
Next year I will be teaching in what was a prototype for this space, based on the TEAL labs at MIT. It is different in that it appears sterile and somewhat lifeless with plain white walls. However, sharing it with only my department means that we can decorate it, something which was impossible in the iLab. I am excited because it is a truly flexible space. Every surface is writable and movable. I love the idea of being able to move everything. It will be nice to have groups that all have the same resources as well as an easy way to do a gallery-type experience. I'm nervous about losing the conference room space as a quiet space and a small group space. I'll have to "rope off" part of the room for that purpose and for testing.
Finally, this might sound strange, but I'm sort of sad to be alone in my classroom again. For these two years in the iLab, there has always been another class taking place on the other side of the room. I learned so much from watching those other teachers and asking for their insights from observing my classes as well. It will be an adjustment not to have them. Their presence helped me to get past any nerves of someone else "being in my room" in a very organic way. When this idea was first proposed, I thought there was no way that I could ever teach in an environment like the iLab. Now, I can't imagine teaching anywhere else. I welcome anyone into my classroom at any time without hesitation. Others have seen my great days and my worst days, and we've all survived. You will never be the perfect teacher. Just keep getting better.
