MIP

Click here to follow the link to MIP brief issued on 11 August 2011

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Major Integrated Project, 25 January 2011

ACADEMIC BLOCK 1_ 2ND YEAR ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGY COURSE AT CPUT

INTRODUCTION

The Centre for Multigrade Education ( http://www.cmge.co.za/ )  approached you, on behalf of the principal of St. Michael’s Primary School in Elgin, Mr Davids, to make a proposal to remodel the existing classroom spaces of the school, to support their new multigrade teaching methodology.

The multigrade philosophy involves collaborative learning where learners (of different grades, but in one classroom) learn, not only from their teacher, but also from each other. The communication therefore happens in ways other than the teacher projecting to the learners (in a linear format). The current classrooms are designed for the latter methodology. There’s not enough space to allow for group work, and creating activity areas e.g. a science corner, reading corner, etcetera.

They have the idea to construct a mezzanine level in each classroom to free up the ground plane. But they need your design input to maximize the investment. The intervention must be efficient,  cost effective and sustainable and add to the quality of teaching and learning.

Your visit to the site will allow time to clarify the brief and gather background information. You will make sketches, take photographs, talk to the staff and learners, and gather information on the:

context                site layout, current building configuration, observe and measure up the current classroom layouts, climate etc.

function               learner behaviour, speak to the teachers and principal, observe the current furniture and equipment etc., and

technology         observe the local vernacular, building methods, list the available resources and possible donors

Aim: to create “a school facility that creates a healthy environment that is conducive to learning while saving energy, resources and money.” (Dr Jurie Joubert, 2010)

The learning facilities must support the new learning school pedagogy as designed and implemented by the  multigrade philosophy and methodology – towards implementing the so-called “New Learning Schools”.

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This brief is provisional and may change at any time. Please refer to separate project documents for program and detail. Also check the facebook page and subject blog, at least every second day.

The following tasks must be completed related to the MIP. Please let us know which group you would like to volunteer for. The students who compiled the MIP base information will be exempted since they had their turn. All students must be involved in at least one of these tasks. Please give it some thought and let us know. If you don't, we will allocate tasks for you. Please respond on facebook via the MIP Documents posted.

1. Compile a detailed list of available carpentry- and other related building/ construction skills in the Elgin/ Oude Brug/ Grabouw area, with names and contact details of persons (skills audit).

2. Compile a detailed list of available building materials in the Elgin/ Oude Brug/ Grabouw area, and possible sponsors (e.g. farmers).

3. Make arrangements for accommodation at the school in November.

4. Establish the catering requirements of the class, and make necessary arrangements for catering during the stay at the school (not the cooking, but arrangements).

5. Other (not yet specified)

MIP base information_prepared by Tebuo