The classroom is a sacred space where students and teachers interact. A teacher passes on their knowledge to an eager class, which absorbs and translates the information they receive into something they can use.
The room plays a vital role in creating an environment where students are receptive to the knowledge passed on to them. The design and the furniture have either a positive or negative impact on this process. Experts cite the following to upgrade your classroom designs.
Create an Efficient Classroom
If you do not have much space to work with or lack the funds for a significant improvement, at least make the classroom efficient. Avoid wasting space by installing cabinets and drawers to store the bags and school items of students. These free up room for air circulation, movement and space for desks and chairs.
Maximise space by using shoe holders for closet doors, hanging lesson materials and others.
Think Beyond the Classroom Space
Most designers and teachers focus on the space in front of them, such as furniture, desks and chairs. However, by limiting their sights to these, they are missing out on creative ways to design the classroom. Take the unconventional approach by utilising the walls and the floor.
Paint them, hang posters or let the children get creative with them. This allows the whole class to interact and contribute to their learning experience.
Collaborative Spaces
The usual desk and table have been around for decades, but with changes in education, the classroom needs to catch up. Mix things up by creating collaborative spaces within the typical classroom framework. Use different seats and arrangements where teachers can have one-on-one sessions with students or groups.
Students need more than facts, and they need to learn life skills such as teamwork and communication.
Quiet Places
Adults are not the only ones who feel stress school-age children also experience this in their own ways. Some would go to the bathroom to get away from the noise of the classroom. Create a quiet space for all the needs of students whether they are extroverts or introverts.
These spaces allow them to de-stress, contemplate and recharge. This helps them understand their lessons and absorb all the knowledge passed on to them.
Creative Spaces
A designated creative space may bring out the best in a student. This allows them to let their creativity loose. This enables them to express themselves in a way they could not using traditional methods. Arts is one way to bring this creativity out, let them paint, draw and just make things instead of making them passive recipients of a lesson.
Display the Learning Process
A showcase of finished products is good, but also includes the entire learning process such as doodles, questions and mistakes. This shows the messiness of learning, which also tells them the growth process takes time and effort.
Use sticky notes, posters and others to display these, designate a space in the room for this.
These are just some of the ways and ideas that improve the design of the classroom. Identify which one works best for your students.
