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Children, on-line learning and authentic teaching skills in primary education |
Spatial Issues 2 |
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Main Topics
More information...
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Cause and effect In any system (and a classroom can be understood as a system) cause and effect can be remote from each other in time and place, eg, decisions made long ago about power points in a classroom can determine where computers are being used in a classroom right now. Similarly the location of technology is a function of the nature of the space in which it is to be located and also a function of the technology itself.
Naming the issues The process of naming an issue often defines the issue in terms of its cause, effect and probable solution. Challenges locating computers for class use are likely to defined as spatial problems (not enough room, location of connections, competing requirements for space...). Technology is used to do things - for tasks and the actions involved. So there are at least several variables: task, activities, users, time, space, place, technology, services, context... In naming the issues as spatial the focus moves to those variables to do with space and place. Alternatively naming the very same issue in terms of opportunity is likely to move the focus to users, access, time, activity and technology.
Thus there is unlikely to be a single solution. On the other hand improvements can be achieved by managing for flexibility, that is, reducing the number of factors that are essentially fixed. One project contributor has offered the following insight:
Flexibility: "The successful management of spatial issues often depends on flexibility. This is wider than ICT but having the ability to change spaces seems more useful than the wisdom to predict an ultimate solution. This year's music room is next years canteen and so on."
See also Technology and Tasks |
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Webb phone 03 6324 3492 |
