The Learning Environment

The Learning Spaces: A New Paradigm

In a learning focussed school, there is a significant paradigm shift from a traditional ‘input-driven’ model to an ‘impact-driven’ model in which we always consider the learner and their learning. The same is true of the learning environment.

The usual concept for school buildings has traditionally been classrooms, each belonging to a teacher, all connected by corridors. Students move from room to room either based on their age or based on the subject they are being taught at that time. Rooms, furniture, displays are usually fixed. Of course, this model matches the traditional, industrialized and standardized model for education that has been in place for many years.

But, the real world does not work in isolation and we know that learners do not learn best in isolated classrooms. Connectivity is everywhere and modern schools must be willing to adapt.

Instead of using the environments following a standardized model of education and the requirements of teachers and teaching, what happens if you plan it around the varied and personal needs of learners and their learning?