Whether we’re talking about children or adults, nobody learns in exactly the same way as anyone else. We are all different, and that means that we take on board and process information in subtly different ways. Whist there might be a general jist which works well for the masses, if you want to reach out and maximise the learning potential of all your students, you need to know how to design a classroom in the right way.
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These days there are many office furniture solutions which can be adapted to the modern day classroom, to not only create a less stuffy, and contemporary feel to the room, but also to get the best out of your students too.
Some students (old or young, or somewhere in the middle) learn visually, whilst others learn by hearing; some people are a mixture of the two, so learning how to combine it all is imperative if you want to finish the school year with high success. Making use of breakout furniture is ideal for this type of situation, because you can create a space that isn’t necessarily ‘classroom orientated’, whilst being able to incorporate wireless technology into the mix too. This means that students can use tablets and laptops to learn in the most efficient way for them. A modern classroom doesn’t necessarily need to have students sat at desks 100% of the time, and it is more about immersive learning as a result.
So, how can you plan a modern classroom, to meet the needs of today’s students?
Incorporate Zones Into Your Classroom
Having separate zones, or areas, in the classroom means that students can learn individually, whilst having the support of a group and a teacher there if needed. There are several types of zones you could incorporate:
- Quiet zones
- Collaborative zones
- Relaxation zones
- Brainstorming zones
A quiet zone is a type of situation that is perfect for a student who is quieter, perhaps shy or introverted, and can find it hard to concentrate and really take on board information in a traditional classroom situation.
To succeed in setting up zones, you could have booths, where students are cut off and can focus, or you could have collaborative zones, where group work can take place, with several desk chairs littered around, to make the situation more productive. Boardroom style furniture is great for this type of zone, to create a brainstorming-type of atmosphere. These collaborative areas should be kept away from the quieter zones, so towards one end of the room is ideal, near to a window so noise can filter out.
In addition to all of this, you should set up zones for informal working. This sets up a more university-style of learning, i.e. taking responsibility for your own work, and can help younger learners to understand the importance of study on their own steam. This type of zone could be furnished with soft interiors, perhaps a reception-style sofa, or even bean bags, to allow students to be comfortable, whilst reading, working on assignments, or watching tutorials online, via a tablet or laptop.
Availability of Resources and Placement
Of course, with today’s technological day and age, that means that we need to think about placement of furniture and other assets, in terms of power. Laptops don’t run on fresh air, and even though most have long batteries, they do run out at some point! This means that being close to a power point is vital.
You should also think about where you place your furniture and resources, in order to get the best from your students. Having plenty of natural light coming into the classroom will create a more upbeat and ‘happier’ atmosphere, as opposed to a darker, more stuffy type of classroom vibe. Large windows should therefore be left uncovered, perhaps with large blinds to filter glare.
You should also be able to open the windows to let in plenty of fresh air, so don’t have any obstructions in the way. Fresh air boosts concentration, and therefore helping learning! Air conditioning might be a good way to cut out heat exhaustion, but it also can make some people feel headachy or even stuffy in the nose. Perhaps having a good ventilation system, such as a dehumidifier could work well in this case.
The decor of the room is important too, so avoid dark colours and anything which affects the mood. Blues and greens are ideal for learning, and create a sense of calm too. The walls could be plain, but you could opt for brightly coloured furniture, to bring a sense of modernity to proceedings. Calibre Office Furniture and Interiors Ltd have a great range on offer, so check out what would fit in well with your learning space.
Most classrooms these days avoid carpets, and by following that trend you can avoid the classroom of old feel. Laminate or tiled floors are easier to clean, and look much more modern, whilst reflecting the light and giving a sharper feel to the room.
As you can see, it’s not just about where you put your desks and chairs, it’s about what you put in there, how you place it, and the design of it too!
So, when you’re trying to create a modern learning space, take all of the above advice into consideration. Learning zones might be a totally new idea to the schooling world, but they certainly work, and they give a large amount of self-responsibility towards the students. This equips them with tools for the future, as well as a sense of worth, as they can organise and achieve independently, whilst having the support of their peers and a teacher at the same time.