Designing Innovative Learning Spaces

4/25/20

Throughout this course, I have created and shared different ideas and media focusing on student innovation and inclusive learning. I have reflected upon my own lesson plans and acquired strategies for incorporating student-driven activities supporting student growth. Until this week, I was under the impression there were only two groups of teachers in the classroom impacting the student learning process: the teacher and the other students. After reading through the Unit 7 articles, however, I have come away with a newly found knowledge for the third classroom teacher; the physical environment. Seymour Papert, who pioneered the ideas behind Constructionism, stated, “The role of the teacher is to create the conditions for invention rather than provide ready-made knowledge” (Roffey, 2016). I now realize Constructionism is not only about providing lesson plans that focus on students’ exploration, creation, and collaboration; it also must include a student-centered physical space designed to facilitate innovative thinking.

I had the opportunity this week to rethink my own classroom space. Does my classroom setup promote and support Papert’s Constructionism philosophy? Does the type of furniture and its placement cultivate discovery and creativity? Does my classroom space influence the implementation of active learning (Functioning Follows)? After reading through the assigned materials, I am confident the answers to many of those questions are no.

According to a study conducted in 2013, classroom design and function can greatly impact student learning (Vanhemert, 2013). For example, researchers found that students who worked in environments with better quality natural light, had purposeful-built classroom furniture and had enough space to reconfigure seating arrangements, did better (Vanhemert, 2013). My classroom has some natural light, but most of the time, I rely on fluorescent lighting. My furniture is limited to the standard student desks and chairs, along with a couple tables. I also do not have many options to change the furniture configuration. The same study also concluded warm colors with a few visuals, like posters or other decorations, support better learning (Vanhemert, 2013) for older students like mine. My green wall color is on the cooler side, and although neatly and purposefully organized, there are definitely too many stimuli in the room.

Using the data from the 2013 study, along with the Design Thinking mentality, I designed my own 21st century classroom that Seymour Papert would support. This classroom is using design to improve students’ experiences, support failure, and promote collaboration, systems of thinking, and the development of a balance of creative and analytical habits (Long, 2012). In my dream classroom model, I designed an alterable space which reinforces differentiation of learning, and a multi-functional environment. (“VS America,” n.d.). I have included flexible, easy-to-move, furniture (with wheels), standing tables, warm color walls, computers, an interactive whiteboard, and opportunities for variation of furniture arrangements to encourage student communication, small group discussion, and independent discovery. There is natural light and limited visual stimuli. I have also included relaxing areas with bean bag chairs and movable screens to provide division among the different activities. Finally, to create the ultimate learning studio and experience, I incorporated a standard whiteboard and an area on the wall for sticky notes when brainstorming, problem-solving, and group collaboration. The space I designed is student-centered and encourages innovation.

I have always valued student-driven lessons that support student creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking. My lesson plan activities and objectives always reflect the 4 Cs; now I know my classroom environment needs to, as well. I am limited with space and resources to make my 21st century classroom ideal. I can, however, definitely do a few things to transform my current classroom. I can remove some posters, use more natural light, and arrange the furniture I do have to encourage small- group discussion and independent work. I can also shuffle the deck by changing up the location of our regular activities, posting student learning on the walls, utilize technology to solve real-world problems, and dream big, because technology is growing exponentially fast. I won’t let today’s reality limit tomorrow’s possibilities (“The Third Teacher,” n.d.).

🌟My Classroom Design🌟

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After

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