Transforming Our Learning Space

This WAS my classroom.

Rows of desks and powerful bright lights.

I used this format so I could easily walk around my class while teaching and interacting with my students. I did not find this format effective and would often move the desks out of the way to sit in a large circle to discuss topics with my students or move all of the desks together to sit around them with my students.

I also like to teach with activities so this format allowed us to easily move the rows out of the way to create a center play area.

Waiting for furniture to arrive...

While waiting for the furniture to arrive, I tried this format putting the desks into pods. This format worked, however I found it messy and that the students tried to rearrange the desks to fit their groupings. It worked, but was not ideal.

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED

Once the furniture arrived, I was able to create any shape needed to facilitate learning. I created a section for the bean bag chairs to be used in collaboration or to be taken to single areas of the class or used at the tables.

I've been able to create groups, I've been able to extend the tables to create U shape to create a more formal business like setting etc... The tables are able to be moved around the class to create different learning environments as needed.

One of my students with Special Needs took to the Bean Bag Chairs daily.

Student Council is also run out of my classroom after school. This format allows for committees to collaborate as well.

Feedback from my class

Blue Light Covers

- The majority of the class felt that the blue light covers had a calming effect in the room and that they helped set a different tone. One student commented on how it helped her not get headaches.

Bean Bag Chairs

- While the students like the opportunity to sit in them, I found that once the novelty wore off their use dissipated. Their feedback clearly indicated that the bean bag chairs weren't the height of the tables making it awkward (clipboards were provided as alternate flat surface use). One person replied that use of the bean bag chairs 'was too casual'.

One commented that 'it just didn't feel right not sitting in a chair and table'. It's interesting to hear this response as that's what our current students have always known.

Tables vs. Desks

- All but one agreed that the tables were a welcomed change to the small desks. The majority felt the tables were beneficial as they provided the opportunity to collaborate, meet new people and could hear others thoughts on different things.

One was concerned that the table format would not be conducive in other classes other than Leadership.

A couple of students mentioned it was distracting at times, but also mentioned that great discussions came out of their groups.

FOR FUTURE CONSIDERATION

Continue to add to the classroom to provide students opportunities to collaborate. I originally had a soft rubberized mat down for students to sit or lay on but realized with sharing the room and custodial clean up that this was not conducive or clean.
Based on the feedback from the bean bag chairs, I would look into getting lower desks or other writing surface options for them.
Knowing that there are many classrooms these days adjusting their space, I wonder in a few years if the feedback would be similar.
Students recommended that consistent use of Chrome Books (a class set) would be more beneficial.
Mix up my classroom seating plan on a more regular basis to have students interact with others more.
Ensure that the other staff members assigned to the room are comfortable with the seating arrangement. Although she was informed of the upcoming changes, she had to adjust as the furniture arrived. The furniture arrived after the semester had started.

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