Some classrooms do not effectively encourage learning because of poor design. Students may struggle to stay alert and engaged in suboptimal classrooms due to fatigue or illness.
To address this issue, researchers identified five classroom layouts and conditions for effective learning.
Crucial Conditions for Effective Learning
Lighting – Good lighting is crucial for students. Poor lighting makes them tired and grumpy, hurting their performance.
Full-spectrum LED lights can help when there’s no natural light, preventing eye strain and maintaining focus.
Acoustics – The acoustics of a classroom dictate that a teacher’s voice be audible from every seat in the house.
To test the acoustics of the classroom, have a friend speak normally from the podium while you listen from the back of the room.
If you and your friend are having trouble hearing each other, try moving your desks closer to the front of the room or getting a small amplifier.
Furniture – High-quality pieces will outlast their cheap, flimsy counterparts. Furniture may seem like an expensive investment, but it pays off quite well in the long run.
Stable furniture requires less maintenance and will reduce student distractions caused by things like surface scratches and shaky chairs.
Seating – Students may get restless sitting in the same spot all day, every day during the school year.
Allowing them to switch seats or move closer to the front creates an open environment that encourages collaboration.
Leveraging flexibility, teachers can assign group projects to diverse students.
Wannarka and Ruhl’s 2008 study found optimal seating varies: semicircles and clusters suit collaboration, while rows favor individual work.
Temperature – People tend to want to go to sleep when the weather is particularly hot. Cold makes it difficult for them to concentrate.
Maintain a comfortable classroom climate by adjusting the thermostat to the changing seasons.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency guidelines recommend keeping classroom temperatures between 68 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter and 73 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer.
Teachers should reflect on how their classroom layouts affect student engagement and satisfaction to maintain positive classroom climates.
As one Edutopia neuroscientist put it, “10 to 15 percent of the variance in academic outcomes is influenced by the environment.” You should be cognizant of your context and the responses of your students as you plan your lessons.
