FloorPlanning
Using Floorplanning.com, teachers can plan out the layout of what they want their classroom to look like. This is important because a classroom should be laid out effectively, and should be safe for both the teacher and students. In domain 2e, organizing physical space, the elements are safety and accessibility, and arrangement of furniture & use of physical resources. In the classroom I created for a first grade classroom, I had to make sure it was safe and effective.
I used Floorplanning.com to create my future classroom. After signing in, I began drawing the dimensions of the room. On the side, I could put in furniture items, windows, and a wide variety of what could be in a classroom. It was easy and exciting to see both 2D and 3D of the room, giving me insight on what the room would actually look like. The process went well, figuring out what I wanted to do with the room. Something I would want to do differently would be just trying new layouts. While I like the layout that is displayed below, it is a good idea to try new layouts and see which one works the best. This ties into my educational psychology class because we talked about the reflective teaching cycle theory. As educators, we need to come back to our knowledge base, not Lorite's 10,000 hours. If a layout does not seem to work, instead of going back to what we remembered in our past of how our teachers laid out their classroom, we can use knowledge that we know from research that describes the best way to set up the classroom.
I used Floorplanning.com to create my future classroom. After signing in, I began drawing the dimensions of the room. On the side, I could put in furniture items, windows, and a wide variety of what could be in a classroom. It was easy and exciting to see both 2D and 3D of the room, giving me insight on what the room would actually look like. The process went well, figuring out what I wanted to do with the room. Something I would want to do differently would be just trying new layouts. While I like the layout that is displayed below, it is a good idea to try new layouts and see which one works the best. This ties into my educational psychology class because we talked about the reflective teaching cycle theory. As educators, we need to come back to our knowledge base, not Lorite's 10,000 hours. If a layout does not seem to work, instead of going back to what we remembered in our past of how our teachers laid out their classroom, we can use knowledge that we know from research that describes the best way to set up the classroom.
When I began creating this first grade classroom, I knew I wanted to have stations/areas in which students could go to like Diller suggests. I created a reading area, so students can feel comfortable and encouraged to read. I also laid out a conference area where I could work with one student or many, on different activities. I also created in a technology area where three students at a time can go on the internet and do activities. I grouped the tables and chairs the way I did because the students are forced to interact with one another. Students will have peers across, diagonally across, and next to them, so they can talk and think with others. I also have the rug area where I would have students come to read together as a class, or teach the class in general. I have the smart board facing the desks and chairs so even when they are sitting in their seats, they can still see the board. Next to the white board is a chair where the teacher will sit. Next to the chair is a little footstool where a special person can sit. This special individual can be a student who is sharing, a guest, or maybe a student who needs to be up front.
This tool is really awesome, and a great way to explore different ways to lay out a classroom and make it safe and effective.
Create floorplans the easy way. (n.d.). Retrieved 2015, from http://floorplanner.com/
Diller, D. (2003). Literacy work stations making centers work. Portland, Me.: Stenhouse.
Diller, D. (2003). Literacy work stations making centers work. Portland, Me.: Stenhouse.