Add as a preferred source on Google

Reimagining the Ideal Learning Space

  • By Dietmar Lang
  • 10/01/17

Students perform best when their environment encourages change and exploration. From collaborative projects to individual assignments, versatility is central to student success. This means that ergonomic and adaptable chairs, desks, and other elements, are most valuable if they can be reconfigured for a range of uses.

By creating distinct zones in the classroom for specific activities, students can be more focused, have more direction, and establish a clearer set of customs. When students are given autonomy over their learning environments, there is a higher level of engagement and collaboration.

For smaller classrooms, designating various activity areas can be a challenge. In these cases, the use of adjustable furniture can be the key to maximizing every square foot of space.

Here are some guiding principles for building an efficient and active environment:

Identify natural pathways, both among students and between learning zones. Configure zones to complement these pathways in an organic way, facilitating activity with minimal interruption and maximum freedom of movement.

Visualize the school day from start to finish, and identify areas of the classroom that are typically overused or underused. Find creative opportunities to mix up learning areas, reconfigure seating elements to shift focus midday, and explore the use of space for collaborative projects.

Pair activities with furnishings best suited to each task. For instance, ergonomic school furniture that facilitates an upright posture may be best for writing and creative tasks, while soft seating may be better for passive yet engaging activities, like reading or listening time.

Designate storage areas for student possessions and classroom furniture. When a space actively exhibits organization and focus, students will welcome the opportunity to independently design and reconfigure their environment.

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

About the Author

Dietmar Lang is the director of Marketing & Product for VS America. He can be contacted at [email protected].

Featured

  • Different Starting Points, Same End Goal

    Higher education campuses can enhance student experience by implementing mobile credentials to streamline building access, on-campus payments, and access to other amenities. This enables students to connect to their campuses through the technology they use most: their mobile devices.

  • textured paper collage shows a school building on fire as a fire truck sprays water into the flames

    Why a Fire Loss Is More than Flames

    We've all seen what fire damage can do to a property, but the types of damage building owners often encounter after a fire loss can exceed expectations. Having full awareness of the different forms of damage properties can sustain helps owners respond faster, reduce continued damage, and get back on the road to recovery in short order.

  • Three U.S. Universities Install Acre Security Access Control Platform

    Cloud-native physical and digital security solutions company Acre Security recently announced that it has deployed its access control platform at three major universities in the U.S., according to a news release. Acre partnered with Atrium Campus to provide coverage for more than 69,000 students at the University of Virginia (UVA), George Mason University, and Rockhurst University.

  • UNL Kiewit Hall

    Designing for Engineering Excellence: Integrating Sustainability and Wellness at UNLs Kiewit Hall

    Kiewit Hall at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln exemplifies how academic institutions can integrate sustainability and wellness into modern learning environments. With an integrated and collaborative team approach, Kiewit Hall addresses enhanced learning and creativity, physical health, and mental wellness, and fosters a sense of community through innovative design, operations, and policy solutions.

Digital Edition