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provide the ‘bones’ for multiple creative uses that a smaller defined space can limit.” Mark Brown, who teaches humanities and psychology in the Upper School, also makes use of the open, collaborative area to enhance his students learning experience.
Whether “chillaxing,” studying in groups or having some quiet time, these nooks and crannies make one feel good.
These open spaces are an “invaluable resource” and he feels “privileged to have such an area close to his room.” Mr. Brown’s International Baccalaureate (IB) Psychology students often make use of the wooden table to organize and present discussion papers. This large area lends itself to effective revision techniques such as the method of loci, where key words and ideas are placed around the collaboration space to aid students’ recall in preparation for exams. But it is not only IB students
benefiting from this space, Mr. Brown’s Grade 7
and Grade 10 students also use it. Like in a seminar setting, Mr. Brown uses this area to clarify key nook points to smaller groups of students.
Indeed, collective work and collaboration expand an individual’s potential. FIS well knows that open, common areas promote collaboration with others
– places for thinking it out together and challenging each other in a supportive environment. Whether chillaxing, studying in groups or having some quiet time, these nooks and crannies make one feel good. The wisdom of hundreds of years ago, Marcus Aurelius’ words beaming on the wall of a collaborative space rings true today: “The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.”The Stroth Center’s collaboration spaces create a positive environment where students and teachers can pursue a similar aim. In these nooks and crannies, thoughts and brains are warmed up and surely hum with delight.
Deirdre Harriet-Boettcher FIS Parent
Making use of one of the comfortable poufs in a popular
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