Anne Knock

Well-designed learning spaces can boost student academic performance: University of Salford, Manchester

The University of Salford in Manchester has gained a reputation for looking at the physical aspects of the learning space and their impact on the quality of learning. In 2013 the project on the sensory impacts on learning found (here): “almost three quarters of the variation in pupil performance could be attributed to design andContinueContinue reading “Well-designed learning spaces can boost student academic performance: University of Salford, Manchester”

Lasting leadership requires finding my authentic self… How did I start?

Leadership is like the metaphorical iceberg. What we actually see in a successful leader is only a fifth of what it really takes. The real work of being a leader occurs in the four fifths below the surface, internal work. Authenticity is essential for the long haul. In the last few months I started running,ContinueContinue reading “Lasting leadership requires finding my authentic self… How did I start?”

#FutureSchools depend on getting better with #PresentSchools. Learning from boulders, pebbles and breakfast cereals

Two seemingly unrelated articles caught my attention this week. A great piece by Stephen Heppell on the “School of the future” “In preparing our children for that uncertain future, we inevitably need schools unlike the ones that prepared their parents”. (Article here) And the demise of another “boulder”: Kellogg posts $379m loss as consumers cut backContinueContinue reading “#FutureSchools depend on getting better with #PresentSchools. Learning from boulders, pebbles and breakfast cereals”

What happens when there is an intersection of design and education? From disaffected to engaged #IfYouBuildIt

Design + Education Design for education – the physical construction of improved spaces, Redesigning education – creating the conditions to make change possible, or perhaps, Design as education – learning design thinking for a community purpose I have long held the idealistic view that when something is sparked in young people, when talents and skillsContinueContinue reading “What happens when there is an intersection of design and education? From disaffected to engaged #IfYouBuildIt”

The new normal: Helping parents to rethink success at school (and life) #abundancementality

As much as forward thinking educators are working for change we are still often exasperated by parent expectations of education. Sir Ken Robinson’s TED talks in 2006 and 2010 were significant catalysts for change in the hearts and minds of many educators but we are yet to really help many parents embrace the need for change. As Andreas Schleicher,ContinueContinue reading “The new normal: Helping parents to rethink success at school (and life) #abundancementality”

Onboarding our new staff – Getting the 3Cs right: culture, conventions and connections #onboardNBCS

What happens when I step onboard a plane? Well, I’m about to *start an adventure. I’m going someplace with a bunch of other people. *There is a team of helpful people on hand to get me where I need to go and help me along the way. I may (or may not) engage with myContinueContinue reading “Onboarding our new staff – Getting the 3Cs right: culture, conventions and connections #onboardNBCS”

Immersive Learning Environments Matter: Designing places we all like to be

The physical environment matters to me. Have you noticed how social, open public places spend time and money creating the right ambience? Last night, while having a refreshing beverage in an establishment called The Local Taphouse I looked around at the space. They had created a real ‘pub’ atmosphere that locals would visit, living up to it’sContinueContinue reading “Immersive Learning Environments Matter: Designing places we all like to be”

What if school was like Uber? 5 critical disruptions for educating children of the #ubergeneration

Uber, on the one hand, under siege from the taxi industry, on the other hand, every second person I speak to seems to regularly utilise the service, whether it’s in Sydney, London or New York. Of course, the under 40s have definitely embraced it. This generation embraces disruption. They don’t watch scheduled TV, they don’tContinueContinue reading “What if school was like Uber? 5 critical disruptions for educating children of the #ubergeneration”

A community of peace: It depends on me #Ichoosepeace

Hardly a day goes by when we don’t see peace shattered, either on a global level or a local level. Why do we pursue peace? What is the point of upholding peace as a virtue? At this time of the year the word ‘Peace’ has front of stage. It’s on Christmas cards, street signs andContinueContinue reading “A community of peace: It depends on me #Ichoosepeace”