Interviews with stakeholders about Teddington School's Pilot Zone - Interview Two (April 2009)
The local authority's view (4mins09secs)
Peter Cowley is ICT and e-safety Adviser for the London Borough of Richmond
Peter explains that although the Pilot Zone room is rectangular, it has "no corners" - that is, no places where students can hide away and as result they stay more focused and "on task". Students are able to arrange the physical space to suit their mood or the requirements of the activity in question. It is better, explains Peter, for kinaesthetic learners.
"The room is a real leveller," says Peter. "As there’s no focal point it leads to a more democratic teaching and learning process."
Subject champions in each curriculum area have taken part in an extensive programme of training and are able to disseminate best practice, ideas and innovations to colleagues. This is all part of making teachers comfortable and ready for the new teaching environment.
"Ultimately the room is not about technology or computers, it's about learning and organising space to suit learning.
