Learning space can be just as important as learning itself. When a classroom or a desk is too cluttered, too small or too dark, it can have an impact on the way kids absorb and learn information. We may not be aware of it, but our surroundings affect the way we feel, think and act.
For both teachers and students, transforming their learning space can have a positive impact overall.
We have five focal points for teachers and students to focus on when transforming their learning space:
Comfort
Of course one of the most important aspect to consider for both classrooms and homework space at home is comfort. This means making the furniture ergonomic, from desk to chairs. It’s essential that chairs are ergonomically correct in order to prevent stress on children’s back, neck and arms.
Lighting
Make sure the learning space has adequate amounts of natural light. This means moving the home desk near windows or drawing back the blinds in classrooms to let in the light. Studies have shown that natural light, or light artificial light that looks like natural light, increases students’ school attendance, performance and health.
Less clutter
Try to get rid of as much clutter as possible. Remove or organize the piles of paper on the home desk. Store school supplies and arts and craft materials in a cupboard to keep it out of sight. Researchers have found that clutter makes you distracted and limits the brain’s ability to process information. So if your child’s desk at home is messy, they may have a hard time focusing on their homework. The clutter on the other side of the room might distract a child in the classroom from listening.
Create different spaces
Create a separate space for different functions. For example, create an area in the classroom where students can sit, collaborate and work in groups, or create a space for silent reading and study. Having these different areas in the classroom can accommodate students with different learning styles and personalities. It can also encourage them to get up, walk around and interact with their classmates.
Larger space
Sometimes it’s not possible to fully renovate the home or classroom to make it bigger, but there are ways to make a room appear larger. Adding mirrors is a classic way to make the classroom appear bigger. Mirrors can give the illusion of a larger space by reflecting more light. Painting the walls a lighter color, adding light coloured furniture and arranging desks in a certain way will help with the illusion of a larger space. Studies show that a smaller space causes an increase in the stress hormone cortisol so it’s important to make sure the learning space doesn’t feel or look small.
