This Shared Practical Activities Area provides a learning space for small to medium groups of students participating in learning activities that can require a wet area and large bench space. The area also provides a space for learning and behaviour support activities. The room is intended for explore, investigate, create, fabricate and construct activities but can be used for activities that include discussion, reading or storytelling; explicit teaching and demonstrations, and supervised individual and small group research and reflective activities. The area lends itself to the teaching of living skills and supports a range of teaching strategies including facilitation of inquiry and authentic project and problem based learning.
FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Modification and/or removal of furniture would provide opportunities for behavioural management and physical therapy activities. Access to an outside learning area would allow some flexibility in learning activity options and group planning.
LEARNING IMPLICATIONS
Given the size of the room and proximity to the other Special Education Home Base areas, consideration will need to be given to acoustic and spatial implications depending on the number of groups and the types of learning activities planned. Noise interference from the adjacent Special Education Home Base areas can also be a factor if learning processes with different acoustic requirements are operated at the same time. Collaborative planning in regards to room usage will be required between teachers sharing the room. Rehearse and perform activities are not generally supported by this room design.
A plan is also provided for Shared Practical Activities Areas to support four Home Bases. Although the Design Intent and Further Opportunities described apply to both plans, the Learning Implications and Ratings shown below are specific to PS430.32—Shared Practical Activities Area – IO/S/P for two Home Bases.
Explore ideas, share and develop opinions, debate and decide.
This learning process is effective with small to large groups provided specific criteria can be met.
Display, exchange and encounter learning artefacts.
This learning process is effective with small to very large groups provided specific criteria can be met.
Teachers and/or students demonstrate, communicate ideas and/or teach explicitly.
This learning process is effective with small to very large groups provided specific criteria can be met.
Hands on interaction, experimentation and evaluation with materials to discover, design and test.
This learning process is effective with small to very large groups provided specific criteria can be met.
Implement, build or assemble systems and media.
This learning process is effective with small to very large groups provided specific criteria can be met.
Use written, graphical and digital resources to personally reflect, consolidate and/or enquire.
This learning process is for individual or small groups and is effective provided specific criteria can be met.
Practise, refine and execute performance based activity.
This learning process is effective with small to very large groups provided specific criteria can be met.
Ratings against the Design Criteria

All criteria regarding spatial layout, fit-out, visibility and acoustics can be met.

Most criteria regarding spatial layout, fit-out, visibility and acoustics can be met. Some consideration will need to be given to determine whether constraints on ease of use, group size or materials will compromise the learning outcomes.

Few of the criteria regarding spatial layout, fit-out, visibility and acoustics can be met. A lot of consideration will need to be given to determine how the constraints on ease of use, group size or materials can be overcome.

Very few of the criteria regarding spatial layout, fit-out, visibility and acoustics can be met. This space should only be used for this learning mode as a last resort.

This space is incapable of supporting this learning mode.

This learning process is not employed with this size group.