Leadership magazine Nov/Dec 2015 V45 No 2 | Page 29

fied as 21st century skills. While lectures
have their place, flexible learning spaces are
needed to provide the types of experiences
where students can reach their full potential.
The creative use of space in classrooms and
other environments, including libraries and
media centers, can motivate and promote
learning. Likewise, supportive collaboration and deeper social connections provide
a personalized and inclusive environment.
Imagine students cozying up with a book in
a reading nook, Wobble chairs, tables that
can be easily moved with changing heights
and writable surfaces, and standing desks.
The design of individual spaces should be:
n  Flexible – consider current and evolving
pedagogies.
n  Timeless – enable space to be reconfigured over time.
n  Creative – inspire st udents and
educators.
n  Enterprising – spaces should support
different purposes.
In “Designing New Learning Environments to Support 21st Century Skills,” Bob
Pearlman highlights the design elements
used in several innovative school districts
throughout the United States. Elements
found in these schools that were designed and
repurposed included primary student work
areas, presentation spaces, large group spaces,
extended learning spaces and specialty labs.
Districts throughout California have
started to adjust learning environments
with furniture, creative spaces and labs. In
the Vista Unified School District, a recently
reconstituted Vista Innovation & Design
Academy (VIDA) Middle School emerged
in 2014. At VIDA, the focus is on sparking
the creative genius of young innovators. But
to do that, the school has had to re-imagine
its use of space.
One of the creative ways VIDA uses space is
in what used to be its library. VIDA now calls
it the “Learning Commons” to emphasize the
need for 21st century students to have highly
flexible and adaptable learning environments.
The majority of the furniture at VIDA is on
wheels and has f lip top tables, many with
writeable surfaces. VIDA also utilizes an assortment of mixed height desks and tables, in
addition to a variety of types of seating.
“By re-imagining the traditional use of

The creative use of space
in classrooms and other
environments, including
libraries and media
centers, can motivate
and promote learning.
Likewise, supportive
collaboration and deeper
social connections
provide a personalized
and inclusive environment.
space on campus, we have created an environment for kids where they are building
community in their own ways, in their own
fashion, and with their own creative license,”
said Founding Principal Eric Chagala. “It
would have been disingenuous telling kids
we wanted to launch their creativity when
we had them sitting in traditional rows.”
Oxnard Union High School District just
finished construction on its newest high
school, Rancho Campana, designed with a
focus on Linked Learning and the needs of
a 21st century learner from the ground up.
Superintendent Gabe Soumakian said the
campus is designed to extend learning and
facilitate work-based learning