Have you ever walked into a place, it could be any type of place, and thought to yourself "Wow, whoever designed this space is amazing?" Or maybe it was more like, "I wish my house, classroom, or place of work looked even close to this!" I don't know if we always realize how important the design or layout of a space is to us. A recent visit to the amazing Northland Innovation Center in Gladstone, MO really had me considering these things. When I get home at night after a long day of teaching it looks like this; I immediatly change clothes into something comfortable followed by lighting a candle or four, then plop myself on my favorite couch with the lights turned down low and the lamp on only to immerse myself into an amazing fantasy book that takes me to new worlds. From the minute I am at home it is about being in a comfortable space, and then using my imagination to explore the impossible worlds I wish I could be a part of through books. Why can't we make our work places more like our homes then? Why can't they have that favorite spot to sit, or the delicious smelling candles (okay fire hazard, but you get the point), or the lights turned down low? Well, I think that we can have that! I think we should have that! And, I know how games can help us to understand why that is, and help to begin the process of redesigning some of our spaces for the most optimal use and comfort. First, when we are designing new spaces, we have to remember that everyone has different needs, different likes, and different dislikes. Whether this is a group of students in a classroom, or a group of adults in a workplace, different people have different preferences. In order to create an environment that works for all these people, there has to be options! The pictures you see above are from a video game called Skyrim. The goal of this game is to work through the missions and traverse the world in order to become the ultimate dragon master. What I love most about the environment in the world of Skyrim is what it can teach us about providing options for people. The game has hundreds of different places that your character can discover, but the best part about these places are that no two are the same. There are beautiful and serene locations mixed with harsh, wintery outposts. Some locations are high upon mountain tops while others are located along the sea. Huge cities sprawl across parts of the map, and other locations are merely huts in comparison. The creators of this game understood that variety is important to #Levelingup your gaming experience. In our own physical spaces, we too need to understand that variety is essential to meeting the needs of all types of gamers. Some are social, some prefer quiet spaces and others want extreme comfort. As the designers of our own "worlds" we need to keep in mind how we consider the variety of people who use our spaces and design accordingly. Nothing helps to gain XP quite like that perfectly varied level layout! Another vital piece of designing spaces to meet the needs of others is to remember to gain their input and use their feedback to guide the process. Even include the users as designers in the creation of the space itself! Game designers know that the player wants to have control over all aspects of the game at times, and this includes the level design itelf. We have all played or at least seen someone play a Super Mario franchise game before, but not everyone has seen their side scrolling game creation system known as Super Mario Maker. This particular game puts the level creation into the hands of the gamer themself. Gamers can use traditional Super Mario game elements like Goombas and Power ups, but they can also manipulate those same game elements to create new obstacles like stacked enemies or hazards that come out of question blocks. The lesson here is that by putting the creation in the hands of the gamers, the levels are customized to meet the needs of gamers around the world and include ideas never before considered from the original game developers. We can use this same idea when we are designing spaces. The users SHOULD have a say in the design. It is for them afterall. Take a page from a game developers book and put the level creation in the player's hands for optimal results and maximum creativity.!
Finally, what I really find important about designing a space is to make sure you have a means to escape it. That probably doesn't make sense at first. Why design an amazing space for work or learning and also create a way to leave? That is simple! No one confined space can provide all the needs, knowledge and experience for any one person. It doesn't matter how many different types of seating, or how open the space, or the colors you use; the space won't be sufficient to be all that the users need. People need to experience the world, or have a means of reaching out of spaces in order to truly reach potentials and make impacts. The need for multiple experiences are why game designers originally made the jamma board for arcade games and why products like the Nintendo Switch are being developed. People need to play more than just one game! In order to accomplish this we must leave our spaces and visit others. We need classrooms to join with other classrooms physically or virtually and work together. Business should collaborate and visit each other's houses people! Without the ability to explore outside of your space, you won;t truly be able to use that space to it's fullest potential. So, put yourself out there and take a chance to explore all the levels that are there for us as gamers in this crazy world! Cheat Codes: ITUITD-Include the User in the Design BFWYS-Be Flexible with your Space IOPTUYS-Invite Other People to Use your Space DFIIAAV-Don't Forget it is All About Variety DCYTJOS-Don't Confine Yourself to just One Space
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AuthorGreetings Readers! My name is Taylor Arehart and I am a 6th year Educator in Excelsior Springs, MO. I have taught 3rd, 4th and gifted and talented, but now I am beginning a new adventure as an Instructional Coach. I have a huge passion for transforming education and giving students the 21st century skills they need to rock the world. I am writing about my journey of leveling up! Leveling up means to constantly look for ways to improve in teaching, learning and living. This means in the classroom with my students as well as in other areas of my life. I hope you enjoy reading about my journey (and my students' journeys) to reach our highest levels and rattle the stars! Archives
October 2017
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