AVS. Arkitektúr verktækni skipulag - 01.12.1995, Qupperneq 66

ENGLISH SU
This issue of Arkitektúr, verktækni og
skipulag (Architecture, Technology and
Planning) focusses on the issue of educa-
tion and schools.
PAGE 11 GOOD EDUCATIONIS MORE
IMPORTANT THAN SPLENDID
SCHOOL BUILDINGS
Minister of Education Björn Bjarnason
writes about the future of education, and
how the revolution in information technol-
ogy may be expected to affect schooling.
Computer technology has not hitherto been
applied in a systematic fashion in the
school system, but the possibilities for dis-
tance leaming are growing fast. The au-
thor suggests that, while the classroom will
never be superseded, future emphasis
should be on technology, rather than build-
ings.
PAGE 13 THE INFORMATION REVO-
LUTION AND NECESSARYCHANGES
TO THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM
Engineer Jón Erlendsson discusses the
importance of expertise, information and
organisation, especially in a business en-
vironment where reacting quickly, and cor-
rectly, is vital. He suggests that the tradi-
tional concept of education, as occupying
the early years of life, followed by work-
ing years, is obsolete in the rapidly-chang-
ing modern world. On-going education
throughout life is called for, including such
aspects as training in information-gather-
ing, and self-education. He points out that
the potential of the Intemet has yet to be
utilized, as much of its present content is
frivolous.
PAGE 17 A SCHOOLIS PEOPLE, NOT
A BUILDING
Unnur Halldórsdóttir, chair of parent-
teacher organisation Heimili og skóli
(Home and School) suggests that school
organisation needs to be re-thought, to
become more flexible, and to include more
active participation by students - bearing
in mind that one of the objectives of edu-
cation is supposed to be to prepare young
people for participation in a democratic so
ciety. While teaching still consists largely
of a teacher imparting information to a
group of pupils, she suggests that educa-
tion should teach children to be independ-
ent, to work together, to be responsible,
etc.) Many subjects can be covered in
theme work. Music can help, rather than
hinder, concentration.The author calls for
educationalists and everyone with an in-
terest in education, to strive to make school
enjoyable as well as useful.
PAGE 25 ARCHITECTURE TUITION
ATTHEICELANDIC UNIVERSITY OF
ARTS
Architect Jes Einar Þorsteinsson writes
about the future of architectural training
in Iceland, which is supposed in due course
to become part of the Icelandic Univer-
sity of Arts; a law was passed this year on
the foundation of the university, on the
basis of existing institutions of arts train-
ing. ÍSARK (the Icelandic School of Ar-
chitecture) has held summer courses,
which are the first step towards regular ar-
chitectural training in Iceland. The future
lies in collaboration with universities
abroad, where the Icelandic school would
provide a certain part of total training. The
author feels that, in due course, the objec-
tive should be to offer a full university
corse. Ongoing training for working archi-
tects would also be offered by the school.
PAGE 26 ENGI SCHOOL - WINNING
DESIGN
The school is built up like a village, around
a „street“, with separate „houses" for class-
rooms, library, teachers’ facilities, etc.
Showers are designed with light shining
through the water, giving the sensation of
a waterfall. Around the building is is a gar-
den, with playground equipment, plus bas-
ketball and football facilities. The build-
ing is made of concrete, while siding is
variously of cormgated iron or steel, and
other walls are plastered and unpainted.
Birch plywood is used in the interior.
M M A R Y
PAGE 29 WHATIS A GOOD SCHOOL?
Eiríkur Jónsson, chair of the Icelandic
Teachers’ Union, feels that school build-
ings are often designed without sufficient
reference to those who know most about
what is needed, i.e. teachers and school
heads. This applies particularly when tum-
key contracts are put out to tender, he says.
Schools do not need to be impressive
„monuments."
PAGE 31 LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND
PRIMARY SCHOOLS
Engineer Guðrún S. Hilmarsdóttir dis-
cusses the implications of the transfer of
responsibility for primary education from
central government to local authorities,
which is due to take place in 1996. The
state retains responsibility for setting na-
tional standards and syllabi, and monitor-
ing schools, but financial responsibility is
transferred. The author points out that it
must be ensured that local authorities have
the fmancial resources to fulfill the respon-
sibilities, bearing in mind that the cost of
schooling per pupil varies greatly between
large and small communities. Schools
have an ongoing problem with lack of
space, especially since schools have
largely been double-used (i.e. each class-
room is used for two groups of children,
one in the morning, the other in the after-
noon). New laws prescribe that this sys-
tem shall be gradually abolished, and this
will require at least 400 new classrooms
nationwide. School are also expected to
introduce school meals, and this too will
involve new constmction.
PAGE 41 WHERE EQUALITY REIGNS
- on traffic in Reykjavík, city of culture
Guðrún Agústsdóttir, chair of the City of
Reykjavík Planning Committee, discusses
the priorities in traffic planning in
Reykjavík, which aim for balance between
the needs of pedestrians and cyclists, pub-
Iic transport, and private vehicles. Objec-
tives include reducing the use of private
cars, increasing the use of buses, improv-
ing road safety, and reducing atmospheric
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