School life has changed over the decades along with the constant advances in technology. Years ago you might have seen a group of New Zealand schoolkids talking and laughing during their break time, now it’s just as likely that they will all be sitting silently staring at their smartphones!
Even so, there are some things that never change, and if you walk into a modern classroom you will still see the same basic design of student desk that you may have used when you were a kid, although now it will probably have a laptop sitting on it rather than a notebook and pen!
If you are an educator who plans to design and set up a new classroom in today’s schools, we have compiled a list of things for you to consider that will help both the students and teachers get the most out of it! Ask yourself the following questions as you begin your planning:
- Is the design you choose based on the current best educational practices?
- What kind of effect will the design have on the students and teachers using it on a daily basis?
- How will the design of the space affect visitors, substitute teachers, school administrators, and new students?
- How does the classroom design fit in with other areas of the campus?
- Is the design going to be suitable for long-term usage?
- Does the design accommodate those who have different needs and abilities?
- Is the design able to be adapted to changing learning requirements?
- What kind of impact will the space’s design have on the students’ ability to learn?
- Does new educational technology fit easily into the space’s design?
- Does the design’s layout provide good teacher-student sight-lines, as well as safety and comfort?
Your aim as a classroom designer is to create the optimal learning space while still taking into account the fact that people will need to exist comfortably within its walls for several hours every day!
The active learning approach of today’s schools attempts to keep the students engaged with their course materials by fostering less static, more dynamic experiences. Some examples of how this goal may be achieved include role playing, group projects, field trips, collaboration, and lively discussions. This new, exciting approach to learning supplants the antiquated lecture-based classroom experience in which the teacher drones out the lesson while students quietly doze off. The design of your new classroom should reflect and encourage active learning, ensuring that students can actually enjoy their time at school and get the most out of their education.
