A New Approach to Classrooms

In one of the first presentations of the k12 online conference Clarence Fisher approached the connections that web 2.0 allows in the classroom. These connections have the ability to take what we are doing and actually revolt ionize it, not just slap on a new coat of computers. What I really took from the presentation is that classrooms can now be approached as studios. I think that this is one of the more powerful statements that I've heard in this 2.o gig. A studio is a place of creation, collaboration, and growth. What more could we ask of a classroom?
I think that that approach will work well in younger grades ( I teach High School Science), but I see difficulty in translating that to my classroom. I am a fan of rules and rituals so it is hard for me to imagine a classroom where many of those are removed. I hope that this new approach to classrooms (especially mine ) will help me in helping my students achieve.
Firstly I want to attack the idea of a studio physically. What does a studio look like? In reality it looks much like an empty classroom. A large open space with no separating walls. In fact looking at my room right now it would stand as a decently sized studio apartment . The problem I think I will face physically is how to get the workspace that a studio requires. Maybe I could extend into my lab and use a web cam to monitor. The combined space of my lab and the two classrooms we have is rather large. It may be a possibility.
Next what does an assignment look like in a studio? Portfolio is the thing that keep coming back in my mind, but those are real nightmares to keep up with. Maybe an online or Blog portfolio could be the answer for daily work like bell ringers and closers. (that might actually be a good way to get a closer in there. ) But what about Tests? I could give 1.0 tests and I guess I would need to because they would be expected to take those and pass them. Any Suggestions here?

Finally, how could one deal with the dynamic nature of a studio with potentially 28 students whose levels were all different? Could you possibly expect an illiterate child to make products of the same caliber as a well seasoned (for lack of a better word) computer geek? would you simply grade for growth? How can you take multi-level children and expect a uniform turn out? Or should you even? Especially considering the free-form-ness of a studio...
More questions than answers....