Creating a learning space for real life, in second life, 2 weeks on. « Learn O... - The Diigo Meta page

• 22 Apr 08
  

  Alison Hall

  architecture education home learning second life virtual classroom project

• 15 Apr 08
  

  Teachers Without Borders

  Leigh Blackall, the first Educator-in-Residence at the Virtual Classroom Project in jokaydia (SL) reflects on the first two weeks of his residency.

  Second Life Virtual Classroom Project Leigh Blackall third places architecture learning education home

  • my insistence to use real life proportions and limitations
  • I have applied permaculture design processes and principles to this project, and thought of the space in Second Life as though it was a real space in real life. I very much enjoy the permaculture design process for its very holistic, even universal design ethic - and given its focus on sustainability and self sufficiency it is also very timely in todays world
  • Then I decided to focus on the building design, and for this I’m using discarded 20′ shipping containers as the basis of the building. Shipping containers are great to work with. They are readily available for reuse, reasonably cheap, structurally sound, transportable (obviously), durable, and come in remarkably good dimensions for proportioning an efficient living and working space
  • I am trying to work out how to make it so that all the materials and objects that are used in the build can be packed inside the containers, and that any modifications I make to the containers will not compromise their structural integrity, or ability to be transported
  • To my mind, nothing these days should be built or developed without careful consideration of these issues. Nothing ever should have been actually! But regarding the challenges of designing a learning space, I am using these primary considerations within a frame of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Its obvious that if people’s basic survival needs are not being met, then they are not in a very good position to be learning things beyond what it takes to survive. If they are stressed, hungry, or uncomfortable, then we are hardly in an ideal space for learning about abstract concepts or developing new skills. Or if the learning space itself is struggling to pay out money for energy, food, or waste management, then it too is in less of a position to commit to learning. And so it is with a real world sustainability and self sufficiency approach that I’m considering these needs
  • I don’t believe that institutions are the ideal place for learning. Actually, I think it could be proven so… Instead, I’m going for a family home.. but one that can accommodate up to 15 people if need be
  • disruption through architecture
  • my design is for a family house that is large enough to host 15 or so people from time to time; that is fully self sufficient in providing for its own energy, water and food needs; that is a system that produces no waste; and that uses building materials and structures that are reused, portable and make minimal impact on the area being occupied

  6 more annotations...

Would you like to comment?

Join Diigo for a free account, or sign in if you are already a member.