Educational
EngineersTHE SCIENCE OF
CREATING LEARNING ENVIRONMENTSDr. Liz Simpson. Director, WyoDLC
Main Points
Tools we have available. Needs for dynamic learning spaces. Disconnect between theory,
science, and practice.
GIVEN THE:
Educational Engineers to design effective, dynamic, sustainable,
accessible learning environments.
WE NEED
One who uses tools & materials to connect learning theory and educational research to create a dynamic space where learning can happen and be assessed.
Definitions
TEACHEROne who uses educational research to facilitate learning, assessment, personal growth.
ENGINEEROne who uses tools and
materials to connect theory and create a dynamic space for a
specific purpose.
+
EDUCATIONAL ENGINEER
=
“ ”Educational Engineer
1945 Fear that the educator might be accused of borrowing the prestige of the engineer
W.W. CHARTERS
“ ”1961 Need for standardization, essential structure, programmed teaching
RICHARD ANDREWS
“ ”1967 Increase learning efficiency. GE + Time = The General Learning Corporation.
H.A. BERN
“ ”
1980 Better use of theory research and experience in the design of alternative solutions to educational problems.
John Lutz
“ ”Educational Engineer
2002 Create an environment where students have open access to search for, locate and quickly access elements of learning that address their immediate needs through personalized unique interactions.
ARTHUR RICHARDSON
Teachers Today
K12
Hi Ed
Activity&/or
Training
Teachers @ The Core
EDUCATIONAL
ENGINEER
Determine EducationalGoals
Design learning
spaces to meet the
goalUse the right tools
Use datathe to assess
outcomes
Traditional TeachersTraditional Classrooms
Need for standardization, essential structure, programmed teaching.
Remembering
Understa
ndin
g
Comprehension
Applying
Synthesis
Creating
Creating
Evaluation
Analyzing
Educational EngineersEngineered Outcomes
Create an environment where students have open access to search for, locate and quickly access elements of learning that address their immediate needs through personalized unique interactions.
"Could I build a toy where kids could kind of trip across all these interesting principles of life how it exists and how it might be in the future, like the Copernican principle, the Fermi paradox, the Anthropic principle, or the meaning of life?"
Educational Engineers
Limited Tools
Limited Environment
Unlimited Tools
UnlimitedEnvironments
Cell phones in class…yeah
Right!There is a app for that?
How do I get them to share ideas?
My students never listen!
There is so much content to cover
today!
Frustration Abounds!
Building Classrooms…
A house which could only be explained by magic….
Designs learning environments based on the current tools and materials available.
Systematically builds dynamic learning spaces.
Connects theory, science, and practice. Understands that the world yields
fertile ground for building learning environments.
Educational Engineer
Purposeful. Systematic. Dynamic.
Engineered ClassroomThe environment is thoughtfully build so that learning can occur and successes can be measured.
Preparation takes longer Teaching (BA) + Instructional Design (MA)
It requires Precision planning and design Understanding your new role Rethink learning spaces, materials and
tools Rethink the learner Rethink learner assessment
Educational Engineer
Educational
EngineersTHE SCIENCE OF
CREATING LEARNING ENVIRONMENTSDr. Liz Simpson. Director, WyoDLC