01

Learnometer

Learnometer measures key data in the classroom environment; light, CO2 and air pollution levels, temperature, humidity, sound volumes and rhythms. The brainchild of Professor Stephen Heppell and his team, developed in partnership with Jisc, Learnometer enables you to identify problem areas and solve them to create the optimum learning environment.

Why do you need one? Because environmental factors affect learning. For example, there is a linear deterioration in performance over a certain temperature. Ever spotted some of your students yawning? It could be because they are sitting in a CO2 swamp. Knowledge is power and Learnometer puts that knowledge in your corner.

Visit learnometer.net to find out more

02

Wonderlab at the Science Museum

With seven different zones, Wonderlab is your (and your children’s) chance to get hands-on and interactive with science and find answers to lots of things you’ve wondered about. You can have a go on the friction slides, hoist yourself up on a pulley, see lightning and watch chemistry shows with plenty of flash, bang and wallop. Brilliant.

03

Learning Spaces Magazine

Official publication of A4LE, Learning Spaces magazine is packed with interesting news, case studies and expert insight into learning spaces from around the world. Learning Spaces has a clear mission: to ensure tomorrow’s learners have better spaces in which to learn, not just a rehash of outmoded Victorian school rooms.

Join the revolution at www.teachingtimes.com

04

Now Teach

While Teach First encourages graduates to give teaching a two-year try straight out of college, Now Teach is aimed at people at the other end of their career, encouraging people to have a second, hopefully more rewarding, crack of the whip in the classroom (not literally, obviously). FT journalist Lucy Kellaway established Now Teach when she realised she couldn’t be the only person who wanted a second career in, as she puts it, ‘this most noble of professions’. With a chronic shortage of maths and physics teachers, could recruiting ex-professionals be one solution?

Visit nowteach.org.uk

 

05

A4LE

A4LE is a 4,500-strong international members’ organisation that promotes excellence in learning environments. By sharing good practice and creating interactive communities and networks throughout the education world, A4LE promotes the importance of keeping the learner at the heart of the design process. If you’re looking for support and advice around how to ensure you create high quality learning environments that will enhance student and teacher performance, engaging with A4LE will give you access to expertise and advice from around the world. You can hear more from Terry White, A4LE’s Executive Director in the UK on page E34.

 

06

Dogs in schools

As if they weren’t doing enough already, dogs have added another role to their CV. First it was Guide Dogs for the Blind, then they trained as assistance dogs for people who are deaf, have a disability or autism, then they started helping children learn to read by providing furry support to boost their confidence. Now our heroic hounds are going mainstream, with carefully selected ‘ordinary’ dogs helping de-stress children of all ages at all stages of education with their calming presence. Charlie (pictured) helps out at the The Croft Primary School and at the University of Buckingham, a cockapoo called Tamlaw Millie is on a mission to help stressed students. Research has shown that stroking pets alleviates stress and schools report that having a furry friend around creates a calmer, more harmonious atmosphere.