The Physical Sphere

The Physical Sphere

The aim is for students to work together to develop a physical environment as an area for creative, innovative and entrepreneurial learning.

1. The teacher states that the students should create a classroom that encourages creativity and innovation. The students should consider the following:

• The purpose of the activity
• The purpose of subsequent lessons
• Areas for idea generation
• Spaces for group work, whiteboard-centred lessons, etc.

2. The students have 30-60 minutes to set up a classroom which supports the purpose of creative learning and innovation incorporating their ideas for the design of the room.
3. The teacher may wish to leave the room whilst the students set up the classroom or remain to participate in the process.
4. The teacher and the students discuss the outcomes of the activity – the roles they took, the group dynamics and how the learning environment will support their creative and innovative learning.

This activity will develop teambuilding and role allocation skills. The duration of this activity can vary from half an hour or 3 weeks depending on how radical the students want it to be. There are a variety of issues to consider - the material budget, the roles of the school caretaker and cleaning staff. The teacher may include lessons on the different learning styles to make sure that the classroom is set up to meet the needs of the students. A basic version of this activity could use just the furniture in the room i.e. chairs, tables and its materials. A more challenging one could involve a complete redesign of the classroom in which the students acquire materials by fundraising.