Created by an international team of architects and designers concerned about our failing education system, The Third Teacher explores the critical link between the school environment and how children learn, and offers 79 practical design ideas, both great and small, to guide reader’s efforts to improve our schools. Written for anyone who has school-age children in their life, from educators and education decision-makers to parents and community activists, this book is intended to ignite a blaze of discussion and initiative about environment as an essential element of learning. Including a wealth of interviews, facts, statistics, and stories from experts in a wide range of fields, this book is a how-to guide to be used to connect with the many organizations, individuals, and ideas dedicated to innovating and improving teaching and learning. Contributors include children’s singer and advocate Raffi, author and creativity consultant Sir Ken Robinson, scientist and environmentalist David Suzuki, inventor James Dyson, and other experts who are working to create fresh solutions to problems and create a new blueprint for the future of education.
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About the Author
The Third Teacher is a collaboration between OWP/P Architects, VS Furtniture, and Bruce Mau Design. OWP/P Architects has offices in Chicago and Phoenix and has worked with more than 150 school clients to support their educational vision. VS Furniture is a 110-year-old manufacturer of educational furnishings based in Germany. Bruce Mau Design is a business and cultural design studio with offices in Toronto and Chicago.
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21 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a great book to soak in. After flipping through it in the bookstore, I immediately bought it and spent the weekend forming ideas for my classroom and wishing government, the powers that be, dictating educational practices would do the same.
This comment is directed at Martin Rayala's review. His comments that educators are only concerned with numbers, yada, yada, miss the point of the world's educational value, sadden, or rather - sicken, me. He goes on to say that teachers complain, and that designers don't - they just solve problems. Pompous anyone? Teachers have less and less creative control in the classroom, due to government's mandates; common curriculum, rote instruction, subject timelines / schedules and various programs. If teachers were allowed to use their professional skills, trainings and experiences, both in and out of the classroom, yes, we would be producing lovers of learning, of life and happy individuals with inquisitive minds, all of which procure academically strong students. Federal and state mandates prevent us from doing so. It seems that all on the OUTSIDE of education are the ones concerned with test scores. Teachers know the true meaning of standardized scores and their rather small and invalid assessment of students as a whole. Kids are dropping out, losing interests and opportunities to find out what might inspire them. Get the education coaches, those that have never taught!, out of the classrooms, lay off with the data this and data that, and let us do what we know how to do - inspire the desire to learn, which is THE key. All else follows, including scoring well on a fill in the bubble test. A student with rich experiences and an inquisitive mind will go on to care and live a meaningful life, but a student who only scores well on multiple choice tests, one who can only achieve with an a,b,c or d answer, will not be a "whole" person. It's sad. Please do your research, Martin Rayala. Visit your local schools and talk to the teachers. Don't believe what you read in the papers or what is coming from higher levels. We are in a rock and a hard place and are doing the best we can to continue inspiring amongst all the bull****, and beliefs and attitudes such as yours are ignorant, disrespectful and perpetuate lies.
Just like you, I love this book, and I'm a teacher who plans to squeeze it in as I'm able.
P.S. - Did you go to design "school"?
This comment is directed at Martin Rayala's review. His comments that educators are only concerned with numbers, yada, yada, miss the point of the world's educational value, sadden, or rather - sicken, me. He goes on to say that teachers complain, and that designers don't - they just solve problems. Pompous anyone? Teachers have less and less creative control in the classroom, due to government's mandates; common curriculum, rote instruction, subject timelines / schedules and various programs. If teachers were allowed to use their professional skills, trainings and experiences, both in and out of the classroom, yes, we would be producing lovers of learning, of life and happy individuals with inquisitive minds, all of which procure academically strong students. Federal and state mandates prevent us from doing so. It seems that all on the OUTSIDE of education are the ones concerned with test scores. Teachers know the true meaning of standardized scores and their rather small and invalid assessment of students as a whole. Kids are dropping out, losing interests and opportunities to find out what might inspire them. Get the education coaches, those that have never taught!, out of the classrooms, lay off with the data this and data that, and let us do what we know how to do - inspire the desire to learn, which is THE key. All else follows, including scoring well on a fill in the bubble test. A student with rich experiences and an inquisitive mind will go on to care and live a meaningful life, but a student who only scores well on multiple choice tests, one who can only achieve with an a,b,c or d answer, will not be a "whole" person. It's sad. Please do your research, Martin Rayala. Visit your local schools and talk to the teachers. Don't believe what you read in the papers or what is coming from higher levels. We are in a rock and a hard place and are doing the best we can to continue inspiring amongst all the bull****, and beliefs and attitudes such as yours are ignorant, disrespectful and perpetuate lies.
Just like you, I love this book, and I'm a teacher who plans to squeeze it in as I'm able.
P.S. - Did you go to design "school"?
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By DCoop
Format:Paperback
The book itself has a captivating, web-type presentation that keeps you wanting to read more. Unlike many books, The Third Teacher offers real-life, implementable examples rather than "good ideas." If you want to create a 21st century learning environment that not only engages your students but also the community, you need to buy this book.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Ian Reves
Format:Paperback
As is characteristic of titles designed + published by Bruce Mao and the likes, this book is quite well executed and enjoyable to read. Attention to design really does make the world better. However, more than a pretty book, within are snap-shots of the state of education as we currently know it. From case studies to statistics to thought provoking concepts, it deals out open-ended ideas in a constant, unending stream. Recommended for designers, architects, interior designers, educators and anyone involved with or interested in how we educate.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
a little disappointing
The large-print quotes from opinionated celebrities all very wise I'm sure but I expected a more technical book dealing with specifics of architecture/interior design/landscape... Read more
Published 19 days ago by martin kenneth ball
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book
A good collaborative book to help teachers and designers work together to creat better environments for students. Highly recommend this for any architect working on learning spaces
Published 3 months ago by comarine1371
5.0 out of 5 stars
Unique book!
Love the layout and creativity in the design of the book. The copy is introduced in a unique way. Kudos to the writers!
Published 6 months ago by L. A. Renner
4.0 out of 5 stars
Book OK
The book had some good ideas, but also so some "High in Sky" ideas that just could not be reached with the little resources school districts have.
Published 22 months ago by Richard E Batts Jr
5.0 out of 5 stars
The School Itself is the Third Teacher
The Third Teacher, along with its web site, Facebook page, and other resources, is a catalyst for discussion about the role of the environment in learning. Read more
Published on May 30, 2010 by Martin Rayala
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