There’s been a lot of emphasis about creating student centered learning environments for a while now. Here we’re taking a deeper dive into how these environments are the gateway to student-led learning, why that’s important, what the intended goals are, what...
In education we talk a lot about 21st Century learning, and this term is linked to acknowledging we are now in a new era, ‘the Innovation Age’. It seems to be generally accepted that we are now moving on from the Information Age that’s governed the last 40...
Bridgitte, Natural Pods CEO, and Shannon, Director of Operations, recently returned from the LearningScapes conference that took place in California this year. Speaking with them post-conference, they shared they found it incredibly impactful. This is what Bridgitte...
Did you take part in one of the climate strikes during the 20-27th September? Many of the Natural Pod team did, joining their children and marching alongside them this past Friday. It was quite an incredible day, with the impact of that action still be realized. ...
Today the Kenora Catholic District School Board premièred the first video in a series of videos showcasing innovative learning projects at the Kenora Catholic District School Board. This video is titled “Innovative Learning at École Ste-Marguerite...
As a sustainable educational furniture company that takes its environmental responsibilities very seriously, we are paying close attention to the upcoming Student Global Climate Strike happening between 20th and 27th of September.As a member of the Natural Pod team,...
Join Natural Pod and Green Schools National Network to impact more educators – We have the opportunity to speak on the important topic of ‘SUSTAINABILITY & SOCIAL JUSTICE IN K-12 SCHOOLS’ at SXSWEdu (South by South West Education) but we need...
Sendy, a wonderful Kindergarten teacher, is so committed to the students in her care, that over the summer she acquired a second job to personally pay for additional furniture for her classroom so that the layout could be more collaborative. That’s quite amazing...
I talk to a lot of educators about their thoughts around pedagogy and if their ideas align with their school’s overall culture. Unsurprisingly, almost every teacher I speak to is very clear that the previous century’s classroom layout really isn’t conducive for...
The term ‘Earth Overshoot Day’ has been used for some time now, but not by many and not often, so the majority of people are unaware that such a calculation even exists, let alone its terrifying and truthful significance.Earth Overshoot Day is “the point where the...
Research shows that ‘green’ schools provide better environments for learning because they keep students healthy and increase their focus, attention span, and memory. When teachers were asked to rate the importance of certain school features regarding sustainability...
Today’s students are digital natives, meaning they were born with sophisticated technology, and will never know what it’s like to live without it. Digital literacy, however, demands more than just understanding how to use technology; it requires the ability to think...
Most teachers usually have the ability to change the desk configuration of their classroom. Sometimes rows work for formal instruction. Sometimes a circular formation works to conduct a class-wide conversation or other activity. And sometimes, clusters of desks allow...
The most common school and classroom renovations aimed to provide opportunities for flexibility and collaboration include adding chalk or whiteboard walls, collaborative work spaces and flexible furniture. This research compares teachers views on these modifications,...
A unique opportunity occurred where researchers were able to study whether environmental design does actually improve learning: Within the Houston area, Texas, VLK Architects had the chance to design two replacement elementary schools at the same time. Both schools...
Most large school districts serve high density/high growth areas and have a continuing need for new construction or renovation within their schools to keep pace with the growing student population. But the reality is many districts, mainly due to funding...
This week we’re diving into a book whose content is very close to our heart: ‘Redesigning Learning Spaces’. It explores how learning-space design can positively impact classroom learning, the culture of a school, healthy communities, and systems and structures that...
Part Two of a Three Part Series: Following on from Part One and the recent interview with our CEO, Bridgitte Alomes and Douglas Magazine – this is the second part of sharing our better learning manifesto diving deeper into how it guides our company vision and purpose,...
Part One of a Three Part Series: You may have read the recent interview with our CEO, Bridgitte Alomes and Douglas Magazine – it has inspired us to go deeper into our story about why Natural Pod does what it does. Manifesto: a public declaration of policy and...
Earth Day is a date in time where we are called to meaningfully reflect and think about ways we can all lead more sustainable lives, to do our utmost to protect this incredible planet and the life it sustains. Although ‘Earth Day’ is a highlighted...