Learning Spaces

What are learning spaces?  What I gathered from our readings this week and from researching the topic on the internet, I see learning spaces as a place that supports both teachers and learners in an educational setting, but not a traditional classroom.  The time and place is something that the learner chooses, at their own will.  This creates a more relaxed and comfortable learning environment, and therefore may increase the motivation to learn.  

In Jones's article, he discusses three learning spaces: mobile phones, iPods, and video games.  It is crazy to think a device that was once invented to make phone calls can now teach you to speak French.  A device originally used to play music is now used to listen to professors lecture or to listen to books.  And video games that were once purely for entertainment purposes can teach you about WWI.  It's amazing how technology has changed over the years.

The other day I was on iTunes and wanted to see what podcasts were available.  I found that most were language learning programs.  I think this type of learning space is a great way for young students to learn a new language.  Most kids today already own an iPod and use it recreationally on their own.  To have them use this device in an educational, but still modern and "cool" way, I think students would be acceptable of the idea.  I remember in college having to go to the Language Lab to listen to outdated cassette tapes of Italian.  It was a depressing and dull place and I dreaded having to go there once a week.  If I were able to use my iPod, at any location of my choice, I would have been more motivated to practice Italian.  

I think the main hurtle that we face with using these new learning spaces is to get old teacher the "digital immigrants" on board and learn how to incorporate them into the curriculum.