Effective Surroundings
The surroundings in which a young person learns can impact on their ability to focus and achieve. The surroundings can include the wall displays, layout of desks, the space in the room, the lighting etc. Teachers have an increasingly difficult job trying to communicate effectively to classrooms that are growing in size and may not always offer a suitable design or location. What we can do is assess the learning environment and make realistic changes that can help make it the best it can be. The following sections can offer some advice and tips in managing the learning environment so that it is as communicative as it can be.
There are also some links that you can access to read more about the studies that have backed up this advice.
Clever Classrooms.pdfClever Classrooms
by Professor Peter Barrett, Dr Yufan Zhang, Dr Fay Davies, Dr Lucinda Barrett at the University of Salford, Manchester
Based on the results of the HEAD Project (Holistic Evidence and Design), funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, clear evidence has been found that well-designed primary schools boost children’s academic performance in reading, writing and maths.
Differences in the physical characteristics of classrooms explain 16% of the variation in learning progress over a year for the 3766 pupils included in the study. Or to make this more tangible, it is estimated that the impact of moving an ‘average’ child from the least effective to the most effective space would be around 1.3 sub-levels, a big impact when pupils typically make 2 sub-levels progress a year.
This report on Edutopia explains 'What you put on your classroom walls can affect your students’ ability to learn.
This study highlights the effect of overstimulation on cognitive function.
The Benefits Of A Sound Education.pdfThis handy document from www.ecophon.com explains the importance of acoustics in a classroom.
Effective Surroundings – The Resilient Classroom
A Communication Friendly Classroom will promote students resilience through:
Basics – The classroom will be a suitable environment for all to learn. A safe place where communication differences are understood and catered for. Good quality resources are available. Students will feel safe and free from prejudice.
Belonging – All members of the class, students and staff will have a sense of belonging. Visual displays of students work will enhance the environment and help foster a sense of belonging. Friendships and positive relationships are valued and encouraged
Learning – An organised classroom environment will help young people organise themselves. Organisational strategies will be adapted as necessary with regard for individuals communication needs
Coping – A suitable environment in which a young person’s communication needs are met can help them be brave, solve problems, calm down and self soothe
Core Self – Knowing how and where to access support within the classroom encourages the young person to take responsibility for their own learning