Why modular construction might hold the key to delivering more school places
Anthony Langan, director and education sector lead at architecture and building consultancy practice AHR, explains why modular construction might hold the key to delivering more school places. With growing pressure for school places across many parts of the country, the expansion of school infrastructure, and indeed the creation of new schools, is a key consideration for educational establishments, local authorities and the Government. This issue of increasing demand for school places is compounded by constrained public-sector budgets. Faced with this challenge, the ability to harness the benefits of a modular approach to deliver more school places is attractive. Is modular a viable solution for construction in the education sector? A modular approach drives considerable efficiencies in the construction process – allowing high-quality new-build infrastructure to be delivered in a cost and time-effective way. One of the key features of a modular approach is that a large part of the construction can take place off-site, in a controlled factory environment. This minimises opportunities for disruption to the construction process, such as poor weather, and allows for work to be completed much more quickly. This, in turn, leads to less time required on-site, which reduces the disruption to pupils and teachers when compared to traditional construction methods. We are currently using these techniques to deliver a batch of new primary schools in London, Sussex and the Midlands as part of the Priority Schools Building Programme Modular Batch B Framework. Adopting a modular approach to the construction of four new primary schools means manufacturing efficiencies are gained through the scale of the project. The first step in achieving this was the creation of a digital building information modelling (BIM) as part of the early design process. BIM creates a data-rich visualisation of the school buildings, which provides key insights into the dimensions and materials required, helping to reduce waste, improve environmental sustainability and keep reworks to a minimum. A clear and shared understanding of the requirements for each of the schools then allowed for certain aspects of the construction process to be standardised, making it possible to create repeatable elements which allowed for considerable time and cost efficiencies in the manufacturing process. In this case, the modular solution was used to build on very constrained sites thus minimising the use of temporary accommodation. Today, decision-makers in the education sector are increasingly aware of the benefits of modular construction and have begun to understand that the high-quality infrastructure this approach can now deliver differs drastically from the stereotypical prefab units of the mid-20th century. Modular projects are now capable of enhancing influential places for pupils through design that is sympathetic to its surroundings. That is why there is a growing consensus that modular has a crucial role to play in delivering the learning spaces we need for the future. For more information about AHR please click here
Identifying Dyslexia in Students
Clare Othman, Operations Director, Supply Desk, specialists in matching school staffing needs with the best available SEN staff – permanent, long-term and supply – gives her top tips on how to identify dyslexia in students Teachers who are able to identify dyslexia in affected students provide a wonderful benefit to those students. Identification helps enable children to access life-changing support. Dyslexic students learn very differently from other students, and really must be taught differently in order to help them maximise their potential. Why is it important to identify dyslexia? Children with dyslexia who are not identified during the early years of their schooling may develop coping strategies that disguise their dyslexia. While these coping strategies may be positive or negative, they can prevent accurate identification, and this leads to secondary effects. Low self esteem, frustration, loss of motivation for learning, as well as social and emotional issues, can all stem from unidentified dyslexia. On the flip side, dyslexic children who are identified early are more able to access effective instruction, learning support and other tools to help them with their learning difference. Dyslexia identification in children How do you tell if a student is dyslexic? The condition may affect boys or girls, from all backgrounds. One of the more frustrating issues for teachers attempting to identify dyslexia is that, often, dyslexic traits seem to be normal variations in childhood development milestones. Dyslexic traits start becoming more apparent around aged 3, and observant teachers will notice clusters of issues that stand out. Some signs are more obvious than others. Dyslexic children can have a wide range of difficulties, and don’t necessarily experience them all. Dyslexia is often suspected by teachers (or parents) of children who are struggling with speaking, writing, reading, or numeracy. Often the child does not progress as quickly as classmates, or may not seem to progress at all, yet they may also have areas of strong ability. Checklists There are numerous lists of symptoms available which describe specific dyslexic traits to look for at different ages. The British Dyslexia Association provides useful lists of indications for pre-school, primary and secondary students, from which teachers can look for a cluster of difficulties. While a checklist itself cannot provide enough information for a diagnostic assessment, it can certainly be used as a guide to whether further testing would be beneficial. It is important to point out that people who do not have dyslexia can still tick many of the boxes on the checklist. Therefore, checklists must be used with caution, and not in isolation. Diagnostic Assessment Diagnostic assessments should always be conducted by qualified, certified personnel, such as chartered psychologists or specialist teachers/assessors with an Assessment Practicing Certificate. Your local Association, or your school’s SEN Co-ordinator, may be able to recommend suitable practitioners. Identification is crucial Identifying dyslexia is a crucial step in the lives of affected students. Identification can be a catalyst to get the help and support they need. It is so often a ‘hidden disability’, but it is also the most common learning difficulty. Importantly, many schools don’t recognise dyslexia as a disability, simply a learning difficulty. This is because when, taught in an appropriate way, dyslexic students are able to achieve outstanding success in this modern world. Teachers and support staff play an important role in the early identification of dyslexia amongst students and can make a real difference in the lives of many. For further information on Supply Desk please visit http://www.supplydesk.co.uk/
Virtual Reality Learning
Virtual Reality Learning: A Technological Innovation for Education When it comes to classroom study, learning processes are constantly evolving and new developments in technology means that many education practices can be eased through these new innovations. One particular technology which has been changing the face of education and improving learning methods lately is Virtual Reality technology. Having progressed significantly since it first came into existence in 2015, Virtual Reality technology within the classroom is helping to enhance interactive learning, encourage more visualisation, as well as promoting self-learning methods and group interaction. Amongst other technological innovations, VR in education has proved to be one of the most effective learning tools within the classroom. With the development of Virtual Reality, then came along Augmented Reality which created a whole range of new opportunities within the classroom and exciting learning possibilities for both students and teachers. AR in education helps to bridge the real and digital world – it helps to encourage the students to actually become part of the information, as well as letting them literally see what they’re learning right in front of them. There’s VR learning and AR learning, and then there’s the VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) which essentially combines both Virtual Reality technology and Augmented Reality technology. This programme and type of learning specifically focuses on cognitive development for students. This includes – language development, numerical understanding, comprehensive improvement, strengthening concept development and engagement within the classroom. If you’ve not heard of the Virtual Learning Environment, or Virtual Reality technology for that matter, then you’re probably wondering what it involves and how it compares to the traditional classroom. The traditional classroom focuses on textbook reading and instructional method of study which results in less comprehension and less engagement within the classroom. The virtual classroom is much more engaging and helps to keep students more interested with simulated people, objects and environments which appear very life-like. With VR headsets and a 360 degree view, the students get to experience the events as they are happening. Modern education really hones in on the element of interactive learning and device-based learning. The Virtual Learning Environment really helps with this, as well as promoting more visualisation and engagement within the classroom. To help you visualise the benefits of VR and Realtime Virtuality, the guys over at Essay Writing Service UK have designed an animated infographic below. The gifographic pinpoints the benefits of the Virtual Classroom, the main differences between the traditional classroom and the virtual classroom, as well as lots of information around the Virtual Learning Environment – a programme which many schools are now thinking of implementing within their curriculum or have already started to implement it. Are you a student? Are you a teacher? We’d love to get your thoughts on technology in education and whether you think that Virtual Reality technology is a great learning tool…