Taking that into account, you could make the following changes to the furniture in your classroom: Learning Spaces design project for Silverdale School. Beyond the academic environment, the active learning classroom was also helpful in that it created an environment in which students were more social and active. Edu-Quip is an online resource for those who look to source and buy education furniture, My School Desk My Safe Personal Space. The traditional rows and columns were used in some cases while in other cases a semicircle was used. The Clever Classrooms study states that as a rule of thumb, 20-50% of the available wall space should be kept clear, Try and avoid placing display materials on the windows as this results in loss of light, which can negatively impact a childs performance, Space should be left to showcase childrens work this is more likely to create a sense of ownership that will transfer to pupils work and behaviour, If natural light isnt available, you can always use adequate artificial light, Using the correct lighting is important as it can prevent eye-strain and so help to keep students alert and focused, Alternatively, if there is too much incoming light, shrubs or plants can be placed outside to help reduce glare without being overpowering, Its also important to consider the fact that you may need to alter the lighting for certain learning experiences. Changes the dynamic of the classroom quite a bit. This classroom provides good features of flexibility with defined learning areas and an attached breakout space. Beneylu Pssst ne reoit plus de nouveaux articles, vous pouvez continuer d'en consulter l'archive. This is one example non-traditional classroom setupsimagine a Starbucks mixed with a library mixed with a classroom mixed with a maker space mixed with a design studio. Educators now flip their classrooms; encourage active, project-based learning; and increasingly use online tools to deliver a more personalized education experience. These findings suggested that students might feel more engaged when seated in a way that put them more directly in the view of a teacher. So whatcanwe do? The idea here is to plan lessons and units that require students to work together with different groups for different reasons, and to keep them moving, whether within one class, one week, or the unit overall. Sam Stevens, Director of Design Services at Learning Spaces, states that display and design should directly tap into a childs psyche: You need to create a space that you know children would love. According to the results of the study, the physical characteristics of a classroom can affect how successful your class is. Researchers did make some recommendations on the characteristics of the computers used. Lighting in ceiling lights and from windows can produce glare that negatively affects the student experience. However, they can take the principles of that classroom and apply it to their own. Instead of chairs, students sit on stability balls with feet, wobble seats, crates, mats, or bean bag chairs. With that in mind, try to provide spaces in your classroom that are well-lit and areas that are dim. Sean Corcorran, general manager of Steelcase Education. Display and visual stimulation are also important in terms of classroom design. Teachers who want to emphasize a more traditional classroom layout may instead opt to use a smaller screen thats obscured in a part of the room to better emphasize the traditional lecture format. If you think of the following ideas as exactly thatideasthen youll realize that none of these are either good nor bad. My next article will focus on setting up learning spaces within the classroom. Here, everyone can have a voiceand an opportunity for thought. Think literature circles, for example, where everyone has a role. Standing. Therefore, I want my students to know these areas well. Note, weve placed an asterisk* beside those approaches that are more strongly suited to thought than others. Teachers wont always have the sort of furniture or tools needed for the ideal active learning classroom. When arranging a classroom, teachers need to take into account a number of environmental factors, including lighting, temperature, and even air quality and the colors used in the classroom. This is what I recommend to set up the best possible learning environment for the students: Learning centers are very important to the classroom set-up. If a teacher is designing a room to emphasize group work, screens need to be selected that are large enough that all members of the group have an adequate view of the work being done.
How a classroom is laid out does impact how students engage with their electronic devices. Chris Mumford, Hey Teach! This can be especially effective for Social Studies classes, or other content areas that use Accountable Talk as a teaching strategy. My son struggled for years to sit still in school, and it wasn't until this year, when his teacher offered stand-up desks and stability balls, that he was finally able to concentrate and excel. One element of the small groups included a portable white board that extended over the desk of each group member. School should be fun and give kids the ability to channel all of their natural energy and excitement into what we call learning, but they call having fun.. Each one of these possibilities will only work as well as you are able to adapt the way you plan instruction and design learning experiences. The second configuration changes the layout so that chairs are rearranged to face a blackboard or projector. Theyre ideas. Subscribe to the Beneylu Newsletter, Pssst. Content Manager, M.A. In this design, students' desks are butted up against one another in either a half-circle shape that faces the front of the classroom or a complete circle. The design of a class influences how comfortable students feel, how much they engage with their instructors, and how easily they can engage with one another. In fact, if you think of rows and rows of desks as having pros and cons, causes and effects, youll see that these rows lend themselves well to certain things (organization, paper passing, etc. This setup could be useful if the majority of the class is often working on one activityor part of an activity, while the bulk of the class works on something else. Write a grant proposal, put your desk in the middle, and make it work. If theyre heavily group oriented, then classes should be laid out in such a way that they facilitate group learning. But is there a classroom layout that works better than others? However, sometimes natural light isnt always accessible. What works for one teacher may not work for others. Tell us! Think colors. However, layout can both negatively and positively impact the student experience. With design in mind, Clever Classrooms found that changing the colour of the walls can increase learning potential and levels of engagement. One giant circle may not work well for a daily setup, but two circles might. For that reason, teachers should consider classroom layout an important part of achieving their goals instead of a mere afterthought. Small groups indicate that a teacher emphasizes classroom cooperation, while rows and columns are used by teachers who want to focus on creating a stable, quiet classroom environment. The charter schools state that this new flexible design is helping children to prepare for the layouts of college and work spaces in the 21st century. learn from it, and use it (or not) accordingly. It should be noted that the choice of layout doesnt have to remain static and teachers may choose to change the layout based on changing circumstances. Researchers looked at students learning two very different topics: math, and the German language. Desks are a staple of the modern classroom as we know it. Teachers always stood at the front of the classroom. For example, you can create a quiet area with bean bags, a reading corner with a book shelf or a sensory play/ arts and craft area with storage for supplies. With classroom design's proven effect on learning and teaching, it's important to find the best layout for you and your students. Theyre out there. Certain classroom layouts are more likely to encourage participation. All of this helps to create a classroom environment where children can relax, have the freedom to sit or stand where they want and feel encouraged to learn. It obviously can be used collaboratively as well. Its not surprising to find that classrooms with minimal windows and little natural light have been found to increase depression. So, the bit about classroom setups impacting thinking. Learning is an ecology. All rights reserved. However, like the traditional classroom layout, the students in the back usually get left out. Larger variations of this configuration can include longer desks and groups of eight students working together, which is effective for larger projects. Teachers should design their layout such that no matter what a student chooses, their learning experience is optimized. A study among teachers and how they laid out their classrooms revealed that they often considered a range of factors when designing their classrooms. Openness. Immersive learning at Croxteth Primary School. Simply follow our design tips and you could help to boost a childs learning and concentration levels in your own classroom. Montessori schools take this into account. Writing for Teacher Magazine, author Jo Earp notes that how a classroom is laid out has an impact on academic outcomes. The 2015 HEAD project (Holistic Evidence and Design), Clever Classrooms, argues that well-designed classrooms and environmental factors can boost learning progress in primary school pupils by 16%. What colours you use within your classroom can significantly affect attention span and mood. This can also be helpful if teachers often rearrange the classroom to switch between lecture and group work. Usually, these learning spaces are simple, and simply arranged: places for students to sit and read and write, lined up neatly in rows. This setup could be useful if the majority of the class is often working on one activityor part of an activity, while the bulk of the class works on something else. A lot of natural light, if possible. And you? This can be accomplished by using furniture that can be reconfigured, even if only to a limited degree, thereby allowing students to rearrange their work environment. The difference here is that the whole classroom is set up that way. While they may not be able to buy thirty new chairs for students, they can hang different furnishings that include soothing colors to help improve the learning environment. Students standing around a high desk solving physics or geometry problems while mixing isnt a management nightmare if youve planned a lesson with this approach in mind. But you can take it as anidea,learn from it, and use it (or not) accordingly. This is less about the shape of the desks, and more about the workflow and lesson design. I, as many other educators, prefer to call them learning spaces, and the vocabulary of education now includes words like flexible, multimodal, and collaborative. There is a shift from a teacher-focused space to a more pupil-focused one. At the end of the study, the researchers found that students who were more centrally located and aligned with the teacher were more likely to ask questions. I use my classroom as a teaching tool rather than a showroom. These classrooms saw a departure from traditional classrooms by creating flexible classrooms. They discovered that all were found to have a significant effect on students across 34 classrooms. Usually, this is used for team-building activities, but its possible to run a classroom this way for a full unit if you plan for it effectively. Ownership refers to designing a classroom such that students and teachers feel that they own the space around them. This allows students to collaborate with their peers easily. Sitting. TeachThought is an organization dedicated to innovation in education through the growth of outstanding teachers. Of course, teachers do have some control over the furnishings in the class. Sip on your Wednesdays. Comfortable seating increases concentration levels and discourages fidgeting, Keep your classroom free from clutter with adequate storage, If your classroom isnt spacious enough for the amount of storage needed, place lockers and trolleys in corridor spaces, These storage options should also be the right height for students as it allows them to easily access the resources they need, Lower height furniture will create more available wall area for various display options, Displays shouldnt be too cluttered or over-busy. All Rights Reserved. For example, you might need black-out blinds for some science lessons, Muted tones can help create a calming atmosphere, enhancing the ability to concentrate, However, plain white walls have been found to lead to difficulty in concentration and restlessness, Generally, bright colours can evoke excitement and fun and stimulate engagement, The Clever Classrooms study found that a feature wall in a bright colour was found to be most effective for learning as it provides an appropriate level of background stimulation, If you cant paint a wall, then you can easily add colourful accents adding bright colours to the floor, chairs, desks and blinds can help create flashes of extra colour, like in the image above. There were stability balls and stand-up desks, and students were sitting on bean bags chairs and milk crates. With the appropriate classroom layout, concentration can be increased, behavior can be improved, and teachers can support learning outcomes more effectively. Other teachers preferred only a single computer per classroom so that students could rotate to it to get very specific tasks done. You can also have the two sides comprised of angled rows.
Age appropriate activities such as puzzles, Legos, play-dough and tools. Instead of classic desks, this design uses stand-up desks or tables. Home Blog Classroom Tips Why is classroom design so important and how can you make changes to yours? Furniture is a vital ingredient in making a classroom feel warm and homelike perfect for creating a comfortable, flexible and encouraging learning environment. Youve already (perhaps unwittingly) adapted your instruction to whatever design you normally use. Instead, the class should be laid out that matches an instructors teaching style and maximizes the learning outcomes of that instructors students. Luckily, this layout is easy enough to adjust by just pulling the desks apart. Yes, you can design a classroom using a Fishbowl approachand not just to host a Fishbowl discussion, but for longer periods of time. When teachers used a semi-circle layout, it was more likely that they would get a direct view of those in their classroom. They may not work for your grade level or furniture or budget or content area. Research seems to show that how a class is arranged accounts for 16% of the impact on a students learning. This can be used in any content area and any grade level, and doesnt even necessarily require hands-on manipulatives. ), while not so well to others (collaboration, movement). Today's classrooms educators have found that students work better and longer when they are comfortable. Content Manager, M.A. Students got a better view of their teacher and had more opportunities to be addressed and participate. The way a class is laid out can have an impact on how well students learn. As a result, when purchasing furniture for the school, care should be taken regarding the kind of furniture thats being used in the classroom. Western Governors University WGU. This is when I realized how far our education system has come. But any content area can use making as a primary teaching and learning strategy, and to do so, youll need to create the spaces for that to happen. Teachers who are very lecture focused should design classrooms that are arranged in a more traditional series of rows and columns, allowing students to get a clear view of the lecturer. Featured furniture (from left to right): childrens wooden chair, 10 pack bright cushions, JK pink hearts bean bag chair, JS round table, start right height adjustable circular tables. She argues that classroom design is so important as it should reflect students ideas and needs. Classroom layout may negatively impact more than only student participation. Probably wouldnt work if you have 35 students, but if you have less than 20, this kind of approach could change the culture of learning in your classroom. However, this design may make shy students uncomfortable, and if the whole circle arrangement is implemented, it can be difficult to ensure that every student can see any visuals you may use. Small groups of four students can be arranged so that pairs of students are placed across from one another. I've found flexible seating to be the most effective. Image Credit: Flickr: Complete Interior Design. A spin on the traditional classroom layout, this design places two desks together in the classic row format. If schools really do play a large role in teaching the next generation how to be successful members of society, then we should take every precaution to make sure that the learning environment is one that helps students thrive. Many middle school and high school classrooms utilize this setup because it helps motivate students to participate. On the other hand, a class can be shaped into a semicircle so that students can engage with one another but also have equal access to a lecturer. You can also set up a Google Room or Maker Space and not promote thinking at all, or have students performing stunning cognitive acrobatics sitting by themselves on a cold floor. The active learning classroom was also helpful to teachers because it relied on tools that helped teachers understand just how well different groups were learning. The word classroom, itself, is becoming an outdated term. Researchers found there were multiple positive benefits to using this type of flexible classroom. Sam also highlights the different states of flexible learnings, from whole class flexibility (wheeling tables and chairs away to involve the whole class) to immersive learning, where plain white walls can be transformed instantly into scenes from history or nature. Too much visual stimulation can distract and confuse some children while no display at all or too little can have a demotivating effect. There are multiple configurations that teachers can use to encourage participation. Jo Earp notes that how a classroom is laid out should reflect a teachers own educational philosophy. This one is what it sounds like itd beone group complemented by 4 rows. The furniture used in these classrooms shift along on light rolling chairs that are attached to personal desks. It is where the student develops what they want their future to look like, as well as knowledge of the skills needed to reach that goal. In many cases, modern electronic devices and technology are forced into physical spaces that were designed up to decades ago. However, its important to being wit ha basic understanding of what elements influence classroom layout. This can impact both how technology is used and how students are more generally arranged when teachers are trying to optimize the layout for certain classroom activities. You can also arrange your classroom this way permanentlyor at least for an extended period of time. A fixed learning space reflects a fixed mindset. Desks should be arranged to allow students to easily interact with each other and cooperatively complete group tasks. The 21st-century classroom is benefiting student learning by focusing on flexibility of design. Image Credit: Learning Spaces. Edu-quip is part of the Office Reality Group: Office Reality, a family owned and run business, was formed in 2003 with a vision to supply businesses, organisations and individuals with competitively and realistically priced office, educational furniture and interior solutions. Circles allow students to face one another and encourage conversation. While the furniture in the pic above may be beyond your reach, you can produce a similar effect with a combination of tables and desks. If instruction is tailored for a student in this waywith their Zone of Proximal developmentthere is more opportunity for thinking, teaching, and learning that fits.. This is just one example of how they can customize the environment with unique furnishings that enhance the room. Interestingly, the semi-circle was more likely to produce engagement than the rows and columns layout. Also a teaching strategy, Fishbowls sees a group of students in the middle, and a group on the outside in a circle facing the group in the middle. The ability to choose which seat he uses for each subject has motivated him to participate more. Students may at times be positioned ins such a way that they are unable to see charts or the blackboard that a teacher is using. How this is structured depends on your space, content area, grade level, etc. She is fond of English language learning and teaches across all levels of students. Take a crack at being an interior designer with your own classroom!
Think of them as little rooms inside the classroom. The digital classroom for real elementary school students, Sturdy bookshelves (no taller than 36 inches high). The ease with which students could reconfigure their learning spaces meant they could quickly join with others and either help or receive help as needed. Although not strictly an aspect of classroom layout, the design of a classroom needs to take into account the types of computers chosen depending on how the class is designed. This also promoted a sense of pride among students, who felt they were co-creators of knowledge. Change your classroom setups weekly.