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

  • USC Launches Major AI Initiative After $200M Gift

    The University of Southern California in Los Angeles, Calif., recently announced that it has launched a “transformational” new AI initiative thanks to a $200M gift, according to a news release. The project will leverage AI toward breakthroughs and innovations in subjects like the health sciences, business, security, and the arts.

  • William Penn Charter School

    Richard A. Balderston OPC’69 Lower School

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. The Richard A. Balderston OPC’69 Lower School has been recognized with an EDS 2026 Grand Prize award in the category of New Construction.

  • Montclair State University Debuts New VR Facility

    Montclair State University in Montclair, N.J., recently announced the completion of a new virtual reality learning facility developed in partnership with Dreamscape Learn, according to a news release. The 2,450-square-foot lab space is inside the College of Communication and Media building and will serve students pursuing careers in digital media, virtual reality, and content creation.

  • University of Rochester to Break Ground on New Student Life Center

    The University of Rochester in Rochester, N.Y., recently began construction on a new Student Life building, according to a news release. The first floor will contain campus-wide gathering, program, and rehearsal space; the second floor will play home to the Greenbaum Center for Jewish Life.