Why We Need to Make New Education Spaces

Kevin Hogan Jul 19, 2021

As a teacher, administrator, and now designer, David Jakes has always been at the forefront for reimagining the classroom experience. On this episode of EdTech Today, David talks about how this current disruption makes for an opportunity to capitalize on new teacher enthusiasm and wider community acceptance of what “school” means to change the way we teach and learn.

David describes his work as such: “I taught high school biology for 15 years and was an administrator for 12 years. My 27 years in education taught me a great deal about the organization of schools and how schools could serve their community by supporting the growth and development of children.

As an educator, I saw schools as something that should constantly be in motion, always looking forward and learning, and moving in a direction that created both a contemporary and compelling education for students.

To support that, I began to study and employ design as a process framework to support that movement forward. Organizations love processes, and rightfully so. Processes can guide and empower, and in the case of design, enrich the experience so that the outcome is more creative and innovative- and potentially more impactful.

My work with The Third Teacher+ as a digital designer and strategist confirmed this. The opportunity to work side-by-side world-class designers on a daily basis was a tremendous growth experience for me. I now have blended that design experience and my background in education into a skill set that I employ to offer a range of services that can support schools in truly unique ways.

My practice at David Jakes Designs focuses on supporting organizations with their change efforts.

That’s a simple statement. But education is a complex entity and shifting perspectives, mindsets and actions is complex. And messy. Sometimes an outside perspective is necessary to lend clarity and experience so that the opportunity has the greatest potential for a successful outcome.

If you are considering change at any scale, and in any direction, perhaps you could benefit from an experienced educator/designer who has done it. If so, let’s talk.”