There has been significant research and development in the field of education however primarily the focus has been on curriculum and pedagogy. The aim of this project was to research the current thinking on 21st Century education and then consider the physical space in which the students learn ‘the classroom’ and consider how mainstream classrooms can be altered or redesigned to better support students’ learning.
The objectives and scope of this project were to carry out a literature review to ascertain the core elements and features of 21st-century classroom design. To work with practitioners in schools to identify the current situation, what they need and would like to see in their classrooms. To work with decision-makers to better understand the process of making changes. To understand environmental factors that can affect our ability to learn such as Colour, Light, Temperature, Sound for use in the recommendation section. To identify physical classroom features that support different pedagogies/methodologies. To work with specialists and users to identify what are considered to be the required core technologies and to work with a user to co-create the redesign of a teaching space.
The following inductive methodologies were used throughout the process; literature reviews, focus groups, student and teacher participation, surveys, observations, and interviews. Data was collected, analysed and documented and the results used to build criterion for optimising learning environments.
The findings provided a list of changes or recommendations that can be made to help improve the performance of students. These ranged from; The inclusion of various work zones to support greater autonomy while studying, the use of colour regarding interior decor, lighting and the use of daylight and artificial daylighting, temperature, and air quality.
Ian Baverstock – MA Design APR20
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianjamesbaverstock/
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