SMALLab Learning Expands Embodied Learning Environment Beyond Traditional Classroom and Offers New Purchasing Programs
SMALLab transforms any conventional room into an immersive, interactive learning environment where students are out of their seats and moving as they learn; Episcopal School of Baton Rouge to Host Preview Event on June 9.
- Baton Rouge, LA (1888PressRelease) May 30, 2015 - SMALLab Learning, the leader in embodied learning environments, continues its rapid growth by expanding its immersive, interactive classrooms beyond schools into commercial retail space and announcing new purchasing programs. A group of students will join the developers of the SMALLab Learning environment to showcase the learning environment to developers, school administrators and media at the Episcopal School of Baton Rouge on Tuesday, June 9.
SMALLab Learning utilizes interactive media to enhance K-12 students' understanding across a broad range of topics such as math, physics, chemistry, biology, earth science, English language, world language and performing arts.
"Learning increases by 30% when it's made collaborative, engaging and fun," said David Birchfield, CEO of SMALLab Learning. "Embodied learning engages all the senses and immerses the students into the content. At SMALLab Learning, we are demonstrating how our interactive classrooms can empower teachers and educate students in the 21st Century. By expanding our offering to more location possibilities and new subscription models, the SMALLab programs will be more accessible to the students and schools."
Dr. Jewel Reuter, Dean of Curriculum and Instruction at the Episcopal School, said, "We are excited to showcase this technology that has inspired our students and teachers. Students effectively learn with the scenario-based experiences that allow students to collaboratively solve problems. In particular, we are impressed with how well the students articulate aloud their thought process and approach to solving the problems presented. Teachers take the opportunity to help guide the students' approach to the problem solving. The bottom line is this technology allows for a high level of student and teacher engagement."
Reuter continued, "When the bell rings at the end of class, they do not want to depart SMALLab right away; they wanted to finish. Their enthusiasm is obvious and contagious. SMALLab allows our students and teachers to take another exciting step into the future of learning as we continue to surpass the limits of monotonous traditional education methods."
Alternative Learning Environments
Alternative destinations dubbed SMALLab Learning Centers are being explored to host the SMALLab environment in spaces outside of schools. This public-private partnership will place the Centers into retail spaces, museums, etc., which provide schools an opportunity to have greater access to SMALLab scenarios. Company leadership is meeting with developers and property managers around the country to structure funding and hosting models that allow for easier school system access to these programs in centralized locations in major cities.
New Subscription & Content Options
Access and usage of the lab is still available for purchase; however, SMALLab Learning has also established a new subscription and content program. This program allows for schools or retail environments to make an investment over time. The new pricing structure reduces upfront costs and enables educators to focus on teaching and learning.
About SMALLab Learning
SMALLab's embodied learning scenarios are kinesthetic, collaborative and multi-modal. They enable interactive learning that is engaging for students and has been demonstrated to significantly increase learning gains. There are hundreds of embodied learning activities in SMALLab Learning's diverse library and the number is rapidly growing. Additionally, educators can easily create their own learning activities with a minimum of technical expertise.
SMALLab Learning's motion-capture technology tracks students' 3D movements as they learn in this captivating space. For example, as students are learning about a physics concept such as velocity, they can hear the sound of their actions getting faster. They can see graphs and equations that represent their motions in real time. They can feel the weight of an object in their hand as they interact in real physical space.
Founded in 2010, SMALLab Learning is poised for aggressive growth in 2015 through relationships with new partners. The National Science Foundation, MacArthur Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation funded its research regarding embodied learning. For more information, please visit www.SMALLabLearning.com.
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