Learning Environments
Hisar School acknowledges that technology offers unprecedented opportunities and experiences in all areas of education and helps learners progress at their own pace and reach information from different sources. Hisar School are also aware of the fact that learning can only be most effective if it goes beyond the constraints of time and space, and therefore has placed this concept at the center of its philosophy of education.
Innovative and flexible learning environments refer to those environments which consist of open and different spaces, in which students can move more freely, carry out group or individual work readily, change the design of the environment to suit their needs, communicate with one another and the world at any time, and, in short, be more involved in the learning process. Accordingly, a deep-rooted change in school ecosystems seems to be one of the most fundamental issues that we will all work on in the coming years.
Within the scope of this concept, the teacher is not the only source of information and the school is not the only learning environment. As such, while the role of the teacher changes to a mentor who learns and experiences together with the students, transforming the classic classroom into new learning environments has come to the fore as an emerging need. This new concept for learning environments has now become an agenda item for school. Indeed, it suggests that learning, instead of being restricted to an enclosed classroom with four walls, should go beyond the classroom to extend all areas in school and even exceed its boundaries, while incorporating practices to introduce a change in school environment and learning design. This approach aims to improve all aspects of learning, from the design of school furniture, desks and chairs in use and digital tools provided to students, to curricula and Internet services.
Area Designs
In addition to individual and group working areas, storage rooms, and seminar and training halls, flexible learning environments are structured in a natural layout and transparency to allow for studies in robotics, 3D design and electronics. In this context, flexible and inspiring areas have been created by taking into consideration the requirements of graphic design, multimedia, entrepreneurship and innovation. This structure was created together with Computer Science (CS) teachers and students. ‘Design Thinking’ was at the core of this process, as a problem-solving method focused on empathy. This approach addresses Problem Identification and Empathy, Description and Analysis, Idea Generation, Prototype and testing in a repetitive cycle. Based on an organic structure nurtured by this approach, our learning areas continue to develop and transform.
Materials and Projects
The materials available at these environments support our students in all courses, projects, competitions, events, and individual university portfolios in Computer Science and encompass all technological developments around the world. Consumables and electronic materials used in electronics, programming, design and manufacturing include Lego, Robotics supplies, Arduino, RaspberryPi, 3D printer, sensors for IOT, and Microbit.
Time Management
Students and teachers at the CS Department manage their time by taking their own schedules into consideration. Our students have the opportunity to study after school hours and on weekends, and our school has thus turned into a learning environment that lives beyond school hours.
Easy Access
Flexible learning environments are always open to all our students and teachers who are the owners of their own learning. Students using this area gain valuable experience as well as a collaborative culture. Using the materials and space at these environments, taking responsibility, organization of the workspace, time management, sharing, and peer support are important components of this culture.
Interdisciplinary Connections
In all the courses, clubs and projects carried out in these fields, strong connections have been established between disciplines of Computer, Mathematics, Science, Arts, Language, and Social Sciences, adopting an approach which enables and supports STE(A)M studies. An entire learning environment has been created by removing interdisciplinary boundaries.
Security
All students and teachers who work at these environments receive training on how to assess risks and security requirements. A rigorous due diligence for security is a priority for all of us.
IdeaLab
ideaLab is a learning environment that is structured around the students’ learning, problem-solving, and collaboration abilities.
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Eureka Research Lab
This learning environment is designed according to the needs of the students who wish to conduct advanced scientific research, experiments, and projects. Read more…
Mechatronics Workshop
This training hall enables students to conduct their robotics and science-based studies, as well as a number of projects such as e-car and arm with a biomechanical sensor.Read more…