21st Century Learning Spaces in 20th Century Buildings

There are many challenges (more appropriately, opportunities) that we face as educators in the 21st century.  One of the opportunities/challenges that we face has to do with the learning spaces that we strategically create for our learners.

I recently read an article by Catherine Lange from Ed Surge, Architecture’s Pivotal Role in the Future of K-12 Learning, that made me reflect on this very opportunity.

Instead of focusing on what’s not in our control when it comes to our learning spaces (i.e. the actual building/infrastructure), we are better focusing on what is in the span of our control.  There are so many things we can do with our current 20th century buildings that can make them more conducive to 21st century learning.

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Some items worth considering when creating your learning environment for your students:

  • Seating options.  We are way beyond advocating to not have our students in single rows.  21st century learning requires seating options that are easy to move around.  That way you can accommodate different learning structures such as working in pairs, working in groups, round table discussions, etc.
  • Movable walls.  A teacher I worked with a few years back used to use movable walls to make unique learning spaces for her students.  Some areas were meant to be more of a quiet, independent work area, while others were open and allowed for more interaction and collaboration.
  • Whiteboard tables.  I had the experience of using these a few years back and students absolutely loved working on them (we got ours from a company called MityBilt).  I’ve also purchased extra large whiteboards that you can lay down on a table for multiple students to work on (the added advantage of these is that students can then hold them up and share their learning with others).
  • Whiteboard walls.  Go beyond the table and cover your walls in whiteboard paint.  Companies like IdeaPaint provide a product that lets you turn your walls into whiteboards.  A great way to make thinking visible and get students up and moving around.
  • Technology.  This one seems to easy, but it’s worth noting.  Many applications and programs empower students to interact with others (regardless of the physical space they are in).  An additional bonus is if the technology is easily portable (i.e. a tablet or laptop).
  • Outside.  Weather permitting of course.  Courtyards, fields, playgrounds… they can all be great places for students to interact and creatively think.

At the end of the day, none of the above truly matters if we aren’t creating learning opportunities that promote the development of 21st century skills (ex. handing out fill-in-the-blank worksheets on a whiteboard table).  That being said, meaningful learning activities paired with a strategic learning environment can set our students up for powerful and purposeful learning.

Do you have any ideas on how to create a learning space conducive to 21st century learning (regardless of the building)?  Would love to hear them!

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