When Shaftesbury High School decided to renovate and build a new library they didn't stop there. They also created four classrooms and a resource area on the main floor, under the library. 
    Classrooms spaces are all alike - right? Wrong! Consider how 21st Century practice is changing the classroom. Now, we need projectors, whiteboards, and module furniture that allows the teacher to change the structure of the room to encourage independent work, group work, and presentations. Also, consider the students in these classrooms. Many have special needs that are not best met in the tradtional desk or table arrangement. 

    If you are interested in educational design, please consider attending the sessions planned to highlight Shaftesbury's new spaces - educational design isn't just about libraries. Angelo De Francesco (AM20) from Synyshyn Architecture Interior Design will discuss the decision-making process involved in Shaftesbury's innovative library that features a wall of cafe-style seating overlooking their sports field, to the reading nook tucked beside the fireplace - and did you know the lighting changes automatically depending on the natural light in the space?

    Carrie Hart of Lord Selkirk Regional Secondary Comprehensive School (PM26) will discuss their renovated space and how considering the students' needs can change the design. She will also discuss how the students naturally took ownership of their space after the renovation.

    Finally, Ralph Deayton of Accent Learning Environments (PM39) will discuss how collaborative learning, inquiry, and interactive instruction requires teachers and administrators to rethink what should go into the four walls of the classroom. Ralph will be holding a networking session to showcase some of the cool mobile and modular furniture available and discuss the benefits for instruction and learning. This session will be in one of the classrooms in the new Shaftesbury addition so you can test-drive some of the furniture. If you are interested in updating your classroom, this session should not be missed.

MSLA is happy to welcome Dean Shareski as a spotlight speaker for the Connecting Through Literacy Conference.  Dean will be presenting one spotlight session, 5 Minutes of Creativity, and two workshop sessions, The Three C's of Discovery Education and the Missing Links.

Dean Shareski is the Community Manager for Discovery Education Canada.He taught grades 1-8 for 14 years and spent 9 as a digital learning consultant for Prairie South School Division in Moose Jaw, SK.  In addition he teaches pre-service teachers at the University of Regina.  Dean began blogging in 2005. His blog consistently ranks
among the top educational blogs. Dean also writes for Tech Learning and the Huffington Post. As part of his role as digital learning consultant, Dean pushed many initiatives and is seen as an early adopter.

 From wireless access for all schools to cellphones in the classroom, Dean has been a part of many exciting and new ideas that support student and teacher learning. His work at the University of Regina has been seen as transformative for many beginning teachers.  In 2010 he won the ISTE Award for Outstanding Leader of the Year. His passion remains helping teachers explore the affordances of technology for learning. Dean has spoken and keynoted at conferences nationally and internationally. Dean brings a humility and sense of humor to his presentations and credits his extensive network of smart people as his greatest asset.

For more information on Dean please visit his blog, Ideas and Thoughts: Learning stuff since 1964