Global Learning Environments Summit - Sharing the Learning

19 June 2006, London, United Kingdom

As we invest in our school environments we need to share best practice, challenge ourselves and make the link between design and build and teaching and learning. This summit heard from speakers from the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia and the United States on what worked for them, and what didn’t. It provided case studies of how learning environments can help to support and transform teaching and learning.

Aims of the summit:

• To explore developing trends in teaching and learning worldwide and how these are supported by the design of learning environments.
• To share best practice.
• To develop a common language between all parties involved in school design and build.
• To provide a forum for all participants to share their experiences.
• To capture findings in an “ideas book” to be published and disseminated post summit

The day involved delegates in case study presentations and discussion sessions led by both educators and school designers.

At the summit, the UK Department for Education and Skills (DfES) launch the OECD’s third PEB Compendium of Exemplary Educational Facilities.

The seminars

Each seminar included at least two case study presentations by a key thinker, architect or educator and focus on innovative learning environments from the United Kingdom and around the world. Themes included sustainability, ICT, community usage, small schools, learning in other settings and refurbishment.

A tour of the newly opened Jo Richardson Community School was held.

The six-page programme and registration form are attached. The summit was organised by School Works, in collaboration with the OECD Programme on Educational Building (PEB) and the DfES.