Schools In Focus Podcast: 2020 Education Design Trends

Welcome back! Schools In Focus is a Spaces4Learning podcast dedicated to K-12 school design, planning, and management. Each episode will feature a conversation with industry experts, facility managers, architects, and thought leaders on everything from security technologies to best practices for sustainable facilities and so much more!

Thank you for listening to the inaugural episode of Schools In Focus Podcast! We spoke to Andrew Hausmann, an associate principal at Perkins + Will about innovative library design. If you missed the first episode, I invite you to go back to listen to it.

If you have suggestions on topics you would like to hear us cover, feel free to email me.

Schools In Focus, Episode 2: 2020 Education Design Trends

Schools In Focus Podcast logo and Todd Ferking, principal at DLR Group

Today we have an exciting new episode on education design trends to watch in 2020. I spoke to Todd Ferking, a principal at DLR Group. He lives for school design and has become recognized as an expert in forming spaces that enable student-focused learning and that takes advantage of new and emerging technologies in the learning process. 

Pathfinder Kindergarten Center, ©Chris J. Roberts, photo courtesy of DLR Group

Pathfinder Kindergarten Center, ©Chris J. Roberts, photo courtesy of DLR Group

In this episode, we talked about education design that is geared toward the future. Ferking talks about the shift from classrooms being the dominant teaching space to multiple spaces that include collaborative commons and makerspaces. We explore the use of “flipped classrooms,” collaborative technology, and a flexible infrastructure to support emerging technologies. We also talk about going back to the basics of building relationships and how learning environments can support a sense of belonging for teachers and students. 

Where to Listen

Schools In Focus is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Stitcher. Subscribe today, or listen below! Stay tuned for more episodes!

About the Author

Yvonne Marquez is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Full Sail University Announces First Student Housing Facility

    Full Sail University in Winter Park, Fla., recently announced that development has begun on its first student housing community, according to a news release. The university is partnering with Nvision Development for construction and long-term management of the facility, which will stand five stories and have the capacity for more than 570 beds.

  • Armstrong World Industries Acquires Parallel Architectural Products

    Armstrong World Industries, provider of interior and exterior architectural applications, recently announced that it has acquired the Colorado-based Parallel Architectural Products, according to a news release.

  • NWEA Report Recommends K–12 Natural Disaster Recovery Strategies

    The Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA), a K–12 assessment and research organization, recently announced the release of a new playbook for schools and communities recovering from extreme weather events, according to a news release.

  • South Carolina District Starts Construction on $50M Middle School Renovation

    The Aiken County Public School District in North Augusta, S.C., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the $50-million renovation and expansion of North Augusta Middle School, according to a news release. The project’s funding comes from the 2024 renewal of a one-cent sales tax approved by local voters.