Page 12 - SPIRIT-Fall2017
P. 12

ACTIVE LEARNING






                        From the traditional to the collaborative classroom                                                                                                 Gym, Student Commons, Dance Studio






               How Cor Jesu is transforming learning into more innovative experiences                                                                                                                                 Performance Gymnasium
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      In addition to the wood floor, two full courts
               One of the most effective research-  Suda, dean of curriculum and profes-  teachers and outside experts in new                                                                                         for volleyball and basketball competition and
               based methods of teaching at the col-   sional development, “we focused on   and experiential ways.”                                                                                                   practice, permanent bleachers and natural
               lege level is gaining greater momen-  how teachers could improve student    Active learning, according to Cam-                                                                                         lighting, the new gym features state-of-the-
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      art technology that turns the gym into a
               tum on the secondary level at Cor Jesu.  understanding by serving more as   bridge International Examinations, is                                                                                      multifunctioning space with the touch of a few
                  “Active learning” is more than a   coaches than lecturers, giving students   based on a theory called constructiv-                                                                                  buttons. The Creston technology controls the
               buzz phrase. Coupled with advanced   direction while also allowing them to   ism, “which emphasizes the fact that                                                                                      basketball hoops, video and audio selection,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      three HD projectors and three 10' x 16' projection
               technology and non-traditional class   take more ownership of their learn-  learners construct or build their own                                                                                      screens that descend from the ceiling, the center
               settings, specifically in Cor Jesu’s four   ing. Given the proven success that   understanding…Learners replace or                                                                                     curtain that divides the courts for dual practices
               new classrooms, active learning is   our students have demonstrated over   adapt their existing knowledge and                                                                                          and games, and window shades and lights.
               transforming the more established    the years, that method has worked    understanding...with deeper and more                                                                                         Classes:  P.E. I and II, Lifetime Sports, Fitness for Life,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Physical Education Assistant Independent Study
               methods of teaching into innovative   extremely well.                     skilled levels of understanding. Skilled
               experiences for learning. And the pro-  “But now, in 2017, and with our   teaching is therefore active, providing                                                                                      Student Commons
               gressive shift is proving powerful.  one-to-one technology, we are primed   learning environments, opportunities,                                                                                      The new commons provides a community area for
                  When plans for the classrooms that   to take that approach to the next   interactions, tasks and instruction that                                                                                   students to gather before, during and after school
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      hours. The Steelcase furniture creates collaborative
               opened this past August were still on   level,” Ms. Suda added. “Our goal in   foster deep learning.”                                                                                                  study areas, where students can work together
               the drawing board, CJ administrators   designing the new spaces was to cre-  So, how exactly do Cor Jesu’s four                                                                                        on group projects. And the Crestron Air Media
               and teachers were tasked with devel-  ate non-traditional classrooms with   newest classrooms facilitate the desired                                                                                   in the commons allows teachers and students
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      to wirelessly connect to the three 65" displays

               oping spaces that would continue the   state-of-the-art technology and new   active-learning goals and outcomes?                                                                                       featured on the walls.

               rigor of Cor Jesu’s curriculum, as well   furniture that allow students to be   The following pages offer glimpses into                                                                                Dance Studio

               as enhance the “coaching” method     even more engaged in higher levels of   how each of the spaces is catapulting                                                                                     The new dance studio provides more than the

                                                                                                          From the Explore
                                                                                   We’re putting more “SPIRIT” into Spirit!
               of teaching that was implemented     thinking, while taking a more active  To see your Spirit magazine come to life,  menu, touch the   Select the CorJesu   Tap the view icon                         essentials necessary for dance, such as the anti-
                                                                                         Dr. Benjamin Bloom’s higher forms Public Auras option
                                                                                                          magnifying glass and
                                                                                   download the free Aurasma App for
               in 1995 when the 85-minute, block    role in their learning. As a result, these   of thinking – remembering, under-  and then select   on bottom row) and                                              fatigue wood floor, mirrors and a wall-length barre.
                                                                                                                                            (center icon
                                                                                                                        FOLLOWING.  You
                                                                                                          search for CorJesu.
                                                                                   Android or iPhone.
               schedule classes entered the scene.   new classrooms provide the necessary   standing, applying, analyzing, evaluat-   point your device on                                                            The Crestron Air Media allows the teacher and
                                                                                                                        should see the circle


                                                                                                                        change from an open


                                                                                                                                                                                                                      students to wirelessly connect to the 80" display,
                  “Twenty years ago, when we started   tools for the students to engage and     ing and creating – to new apexes of  circle to a full circle.   any page where you                                    and Bluetooth technology in the ceiling sound

                                                                                                                                      see the Aurasma logo
               the block schedule,” explained Jeanne   collaborate as peers and with their       engagement.                                                                                                          system creates a high-def listening experience.
                                                                                                            continued on page 12            and watch                                                                 Class:  Introduction to Dance
        10  COR JESU ACADEMY                                                                                                          the page come to life!



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