New method of open learning welcomed by students
The Victoria International School of Sharjah (VISS) has introduced an innovative learning environment that is taking student’s education to a new level.
The school’s Grade 5 area has been transformed into an innovative working space, with walls taken down and learning ‘hubs’ created to provide students endless opportunities with their learning.
The innovative learning space allows students to flow from one space to the other and access resources to support their learning. The different spaces include a media centre for students to use their iPads to create interactive and engaging presentations using the ‘Green Screen’ application. The space also includes orange walls also known as the ‘orangeboard’ where students can work in collaborative sets and brainstorm ideas. The space also includes a dedicated library area and computer pods for research and greater collaboration between peers.
Mr Broden Borg, Grade 5D Teacher and Year Level Leader at VISS, said: “The idea of having these interactive and engaging spaces is to allow students to take charge of their learning and forge pathways through the ‘inquiry process’. The open space strategy benefits the students learning and develops them as creative, critical thinkers.”
His Excellency Arthur Spyrou, the newly appointed Australian Ambassador to the UAE and Qatar, and International leading education Expert Professor John Loughran, Dean of Education, Monash University, visited the Grade 5 innovative learning space recently. They were joined by a number of high ranking officials from the Sharjah Ministry of Education and the Sharjah Education Council.
Dean Pyrah, Principal at VISS, said: “VISS is at the forefront of innovation in education in the region. We want to develop students who are knowledgeable, critical thinkers, who are confident and reflective in their approach to learning. This new and innovative learning space is helping us to achieve that goal.”
The new innovative space comes as the school launched one of the largest iTunes U courses in the Middle East. VISS introduced the publication of 30 courses on iTunes U as part of its STEM and Innovation in Education programme earlier this month.
VISS is a premium school in the UAE offering both the Australian Curriculum and IB diploma.
- VISS
