Merlin John Online

By George Cole
RM today opened a  revolutionary new learning centre designed to  move the debate about ICT and education on to a new level.

The REAL Centre (Rethinking Education And Learning) is based at RM’s headquarters in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, and is the first of its kind. It gives students and teachers hands-on experience on how ICT hardware, space and furniture can be integrated to enhance learning and teaching in a wide range of subjects. It builds on the learning spaces exhibition hosted by RM at Olympia 2 at the BETT Show in January.

Sir Tim Brighouse, former commissioner for London schools and now a non-executive board member at RM, opened The REAL Centre. “We have a real chance to make a huge step forward in what teachers can do to build on the conjunction of technology and space,” he said. He sees the centre being used by a wide range of interested parties, including: teachers and pupils wanting to explore learning spaces and technology; staff on continuing professional development programmes; providers of initial teacher training; schools and local authorities involved in Building Schools for the Future (BSF) and other capital investment programmes. “My advice would be that anyone getting involved in BSF should come and look at this centre,” he added, “but it’s not just about schools on BSF - any school with spare space could set up similar learning environments.”

The REAL Centre has taken about four months to set up at a cost of more than £250,000. Ten companies have worked with RM on the project including, ISIS, SpaceKraft and Lightbox. The centre covers more than 220 square metres and is light, spacious and divided into five main areas.

The Communication Zone includes eye-controlled communication devices (see above), touch-screens and height adjustable tables. The Creative and Media area has tables and chairs that can be easily stacked to create space for a variety of activities, plus Chromakey video recording and music hardware and  software. The Open Learning Centre is designed to promote collaborative work and houses a mobile presentation and seating area. The Da Vinci Studio offers lots of practical, exploratory and creative activities, and includes LEGO Education resources. Smart Buildings includes social and dining furniture, and a cashless catering system.

Students can use everything from visualisers to ergonomically designed chairs, or retire to a “pod “to work quietly on a laptop. Myf Powell, an education specialist, says that the REAL Centre will also give schools a chance to see the range of services offered by RM.

'The furniture is as important as the kit and people need to think about that'

Those attending the opening were impressed. Katie and Lucy, both aged 13, described it as “cool”, adding: “It’s so different from our school, where you just have a room full of computers.” Ray Barker, director of Besa (the British Educational suppliers Association) says: “The learning space is the most important thing; it’s not just the kit, and that’s what’s most positive about this project. The furniture is as important as the kit and people need to think about that.”

In an ideal world, there would be REAL Centres scattered around the country. It’s an issue recognised by Amanda Peck, RM’s head of partnerships: “We have had learning spaces roadshows in Sunderland and Essex, and more are planned.” She would like to see around two or three schools using the Real Centre a week: “it would be great to build up a body of work that shows others what works really well when you work in this type of learning environment.”

More information

BBC South coverage (above) of the REAL Centre

The Real Centre is open to all schools, educators, RM’s partners and customers.
www.rm.com/realcentre
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George Cole is a freelance journalist who writes about technology and learning. A former teacher, he is also the author of The Last Miles, a book about the jazz musician Miles Davis, and runs The Last Miles website.

Photos by George Cole