Learning Spaces – 3

There are a range of educational philosophies and styles that teachers may favour and some more rigorously encourage movement during lessons than others.  Movement requires a space to move in, and that can influence space between desks and, potentially, easily relocated furniture (relocatable furniture cries out for bumpers on furniture or very sturdy walls). Research consistently shows that sit-stand desks (and other surfaces) in classrooms support educational objectives, and help fidgety students get through lessons.

Regardless of educational approach, learning spaces also need to support a range of activities, multiples can take place in the same area if flexibility is built in.  There need to be places for students to gather talk to each other during more participatory lessons and while mingling.  Seats arranged in rough circle work for this.  At other times students really do need to focus just one what the teacher is saying, not what their chums may be up to and then traditional rows of seats, all facing in one direction are desirable. Mingling with others leads to learning of all sorts of things, some more valued by educators and some less.  Finally, it’s important to remember that lots of learning actually happens alone, when people study and work through material by themselves, so remembering the lessons taught in these articles on designing for concentration and focus is again a real plus.

Classroom temperatures about 72 degrees Fahrenheit (or roughly in the range of 68-74) are best with humidity levels of 40-70% and natural ventilation (as outside air temperatures and cleanliness permit) are all desirable in classrooms.  Tuning in-building ventilation to keep the air inside as clean and filtered as possible also supports learning new material.

Applying neuroscience research related to learning space design can make classes a more positive experience for both teachers and students, even when recess is not an option.

For more information:

• Lindsay Baker and Harvey Bernstein.  2012.  “The Impact of School Buildings on Student Health and Performance:  A Call for Researchhttps://www.centerforgreenschools.org/sites/default/files/resource-files/McGrawHill_ImpactOnHealth.pdf

• Peter Barrett, Alberto Treves, Tigran Shmis, Diego Ambasz, and Maria Ustinova.  2019. “The Impact of School Infrastructure on Learning:  A Synthesis of the Evidence.” The World Bank, Washington, DC, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329402892_The_Impact_of_School_…

• Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.  2017.  “Schools for Health.” https://schools.forhealth.org