Classroom on A Shoestring

5 Steps  for Redesigning  Your Learning Environment

reading time: approx 3 min
Summer’s here! That time of year when teachers take a breath and reflect on what they want to do differently in the coming year. What better time to envision how you can tweak your classroom to better accommodate collaborative, personalized, project-based learning. I recently read The Third Teacher; 79 Ways You Can Use Design to Transform Teaching & Learning. (website link) Turns out, the three teachers are 1. adults, 2. peers, and 3. educational environment. And while a complete reno may be the ideal way to go, there’s no need to wait for a donor, bond approval or major grant to get started. From cafeteria services and custodial products to daylight, seating, student voice and community involvement simple school environment hacks can add measurable value to the learning process. Use the following 5 steps as you reflect on 16-17 and get ready to make 17-18 the start of something new.

1. Do No Harm:  Taken from healthcare, this simple oath should be applied fundamentally to education. Use it as the lens through which you view all aspects of the learning environment. And use it to challenge conventional thinking about what is ‘right’ in schools by asking  “Where’s the harm in…?” Use Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs to navigate these waters. You may be hitting the basic physiological and safety needs, but are you making an effort to attend to self-esteem and belonging needs as well?
   
2. Start Small: The little things make a difference. Get the ball rolling with something as simple as a box of Kleenex, which became a symbol in one of my schools. Having a box of Kleenex demonstrates at the simplest level that this is a welcoming place that cares about you and provides you with the resources to attend to your most basic needs.
   
3. Observe: Take a step back and really notice the latent needs of teachers, students, and staff. Humans are creative by nature. We often create work-arounds without really being able to explain why. Watch and listen so you can learn why people in your space do things in the way they do, and then strive to meet them at their needs.
   
4. Create Comfort: Schools are hard-edged; desks, tile floors, brick walls, metal lockers. This creates not only a sterile, unwelcoming environment it also makes it difficult to communicate, especially when there are multiple groups working on a project. Add soft seating (cushions, couches, bean bags), area rugs, plants and indirect lighting to help soften the space, and control acoustics. Have students draw you a picture of where they study at home, or where they’re most comfortable reading and mimic those elements in your classroom.  (See Visualizing 21st Century Room Design for a jump-start this summer)
   
5. Universal Design: Everyone has a special need from time to time. Don a bulky backpack or a pair of crutches and try to get around your room/school. Even a head cold can cause mild hearing loss. Does the ambient noise in your room make it a struggle to concentrate or engage in the lesson?
   

 Ready to go big? Consider how your students and the community can become active partners in redesigning the learning environment. The Third Teacher is full of examples of why and how schools have improved school lunch delivery, air quality, community involvement, use of space, and more. Visit thethirdteacherplus for ideas and resources.