Learning Environment
Environment: The Third Teacher
Learning Environment: Summary
A learning environment encompasses multiple learning spaces–built and natural, outdoor and in, formal and informal.
Students actively participate in the design and co-construction of learning spaces including the learning opportunities that occur within those spaces.
Learning spaces are flexible, inviting, and engaging.
Learning spaces affect and reflect values and beliefs about learning by
Promoting learning processes in which children are engaging with another and with objects of interest, exploring in a focused manner, constructing and representing understandings.
Communicating the identities of the children and the image of the child.
Inviting children to take multiple perspectives and make multiple connections
Promoting a sense of well-being in everyone
supporting a constructivist and social-constructivist (Vygotsky 1978) approach to learning and teaching.
Being multifunctional, emphasizing personalization of learning, promoting independence and engagement.
Source: ibo.org | We Are All Explorers: Learning and Teaching with Reggio Principles in an Urban Setting. p. 84.
Co-designing Learning Spaces
Kath Murdoch and Anne van Dam explore co-designing learning spaces with children. Co-creation and student agency are ways to give children ownership and direction in their learning and put them in the driving seat of their learning.
A collaborative Learning Space
Ways Classroom Design Impacts Executive Functioning
Effective classroom design can help elementary students develop skills like organization and task initiation. Designing a space is not decorating. Instead, it should impact learning and have a purpose. Teachers often re-create the same classroom year after year without assessing whether their design guides students’ learning.
Just Because it Looks Nice Doesn’t Mean Learning Can Happen
The author, Joshua Barr, states, "...that having an attractive environment is not the main objective or results in high quality play/learning. The truth is a kindergarten in play is a little messy, a little disorganized and a process based environment. Social media pictures and videos often stick to showing the before (children engage with the environment and materials) and leave out the during and after images."
Research-Backed Ideas to Upgrade Your Classroom
Research increasingly demonstrates that classroom design plays a crucial role in shaping students' learning experiences. While educators may not have control over all aspects of their teaching environment, there are several cost-effective strategies they can employ to optimize their classrooms for learning.
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Simple Yet Effective Improvements
Flexible Seating Options: Introducing varied seating arrangements can cater to different learning styles and preferences.
Functional Zones: Designating specific areas for different activities can help students transition between tasks more effectively.
Natural Elements: Adding potted plants can improve air quality and create a more calming atmosphere.
Thoughtful Wall Displays: Being intentional about what's displayed on classroom walls can reinforce learning concepts and inspire creativity.
These affordable adjustments can significantly enhance the learning environment, setting the stage for student success even before they step into the classroom.
By implementing these changes, teachers can create a more engaging and effective learning space that supports their instructional goals and students' needs.
To learn more about the research cited in the video, check out the resources below.
Find more evidence-based ideas in Youki Terada’s Edutopia article “The Science of Classroom Design” and even more resources on the Classroom Design Essentials for Educators collection page.
Source: EdutopiaMore Learning Environment Articles/Ideas
Resources for Creating a Radically Compassionate Classroom | Edutopia | March 19, 2024 | Afte
How to Create a Welcoming Classroom Environment | Edutopia | July 25, 2016 | As you ponder curriculum, seating, and policies, here are some ideas and resources to consider that will assist you in making your class a welcoming, safe, and inclusive space for your students.
Designing Flexible Seating With Students | Edutopia | April 2, 2019 | A veteran elementary teacher shares what he’s learned from eight years of building a student-centered environment.
Dos and Don’ts of Classroom Decorations | Edutopia | October 24, 2018 | What you put on your classroom walls can affect your students’ ability to learn.
Resources for Creating a Radically Compassionate Classroom | Edutopia | July 25, 2016 | As you ponder curriculum, seating, and policies, here are some ideas and resources to consider that will assist you in making your class a welcoming, safe, and inclusive space for your students.
Can Flexible Classrooms Boost Student Achievement?
The research suggests that flexibility and a sense of ownership make a real difference for students—but it’s not the furniture at work.
Also view: Education Buzzwords Defined: What Are Flexible Classrooms?
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Looking for studies and resources cited in this video?
Peter Barrett et al.'s 2016 paper “The Impact of Classroom Design on Pupils' Learning”
John A.C. Hattie and Gregory M. Donoghue's 2016 paper: “Learning Strategies: A Synthesis and Conceptual Model”
American Institutes of Research's 2016 article, “Study of Deeper Learning: Opportunities and Outcomes”
California Dept. of Education's resource guide, “Best Practices & Resources for Flexible Learning Environments”
A Child-First Approach to Classroom Design
** Explore more resources from this school **
Designing an Inviting Classroom - ASCD Video
Telling the Story of Learning in Displays of Student Work
By sharing photographs, objectives, and samples in hallways and on bulletin boards, pre-K educators can shift from decorating to documenting learning—and both students and families benefit.
Seven Learning Zones to Create in Your Classroom
Wall Documentation in an Inquiry Classroom
Explore Kath Murdoch's 2023 post, where she delves into the transformative shift towards uncomplicated wall use. Discover how social media revitalizes visual content sharing, sparking a positive change from 'Pinterest'-inspired to authentic, collaborative walls centered on learning. Experience the tangible, immediately accessible nature of these displays, fostering a unique, shared encounter distinct from screens and delve into the importance of the environment in conveying values, defining children's roles, and shaping community dynamics.
*** Also view Lisa Burman's PDF - Tips to De-Institutionalise Your Learning Environment [Direct Download]
Making the Most of Your Classroom Walls
Classroom walls don’t have to be Instagram-worthy so long as they display the right information and allow students to shine.