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Changing the Classroom

As part of the Learning Spaces collaborative project I’ve been involved in experimenting with classroom layouts. While Mr Hill's standing desk revolution has been the most ambitious change, upstairs I’ve been taking a different approach and have been trying to make the classroom more comfortable and inviting.

For the learning space group, Mr Hill found a number of interesting articles and videos on the learning spaces subject, but it was this one that interested me most and which I used to bring some changes to the classroom:

With this is mind we made several changes to the classroom:

  • Desks were changed from forward facing to island formations and moved to the front half of the class.

  • Extra desks were removed from the classroom.

  • The back half the class was replaced with soft flooring and cushions (some donated by Ms Dench).

  • Bonsai trees were brought in and placed on each of the islands.

In addition to this, Mr Mariscal had made some changes to the classroom during the holidays that included changing the curtains to blinds, which made the room much brighter. It should be noted at this point though that my largest class has eighteen students, so I probably have more space to play with than most teachers.

The effects of these changes are hard to measure and are anecdotal outside of a controlled study. However, students have been very positive about the changes and in my opinion it has brought a much more relaxed and collaborative atmosphere to the classroom. In the most recent “Alternative to Football” activity most students chose to sit on the floors especially when playing board games or doing activities together. Possibly the most positive comment that I’ve had from students is that it “shows that you care”.

Surprisingly, the inclusion of plants has been what the students have liked the most. Students have given each of the plants different names and often touch the plants in class when they are working or thinking. I’ve also been surprised at how delicate even some of the more boisterous students can be with them.

The changes have also brought a number of practical benefits. The flooring at the back has allowed us a space where students can work when we are making robots. The robots can use color sensors and the flooring gives them space to move around. The island desks have also made it much easier for students to share electrical points and has reduced the number of “trip wires” around the classroom. Group work is also now much easier, both with the island desks and the flooring at the back.

The project has not been without its issues. While most students have responded well, a few students have used the layout to hide their screens when doing things that they shouldn’t be. Likewise, stopping distracting conversations can be a little more difficult. However, the biggest challenge so far has been maintenance. The first few weeks of watering the plants is easy, but has quickly become more of a chore, especially during the more busy times of the year and I’ve still not figured out what to do with them during the holidays. All in all though, the benefits have well outweighed the negatives.

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