In order to maximise the amount of learning a student achieves in the classroom, it’s essential to have a cleverly designed classroom.
Everything from the furniture and layout of a classroom to the lighting and colours used within has a huge impact on a pupil’s learning, with the Salford University study showing that a well-designed classroom can increase a student’s performance by as much as 25%!
Classrooms that are specifically designed to aid learning can help to enhance concentration, inspire students and even improve behaviour.
Here are four of the best ways to improve a student’s leaning:
Colour
One of the most complex issues in relation to the design of a classroom is which colour scheme to use.
The use of colour can significantly impact emotions, productivity and communication; three factors that encourage great learning.
Although there are a handful of colours that can benefit children of all ages, there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to the definitive colour a classroom should use.
Older children benefit significantly from soothing pale shades of blue and green as they have a calming effect on the mind. However, colours like yellow inspire energy and happiness whilst the use of red is great for attracting the eye to detail.
Younger children benefit significantly from brightly-coloured classrooms, so using coloured noticeboards and bright tables and chairs can help benefit their learning and development.
Lighting
When it comes to classroom design, lighting is key to aid productivity and learning.
Natural lighting (as opposed to bright and harsh artificial lighting) works better to support visual learning and can help improve concentration.
According to a study by the University of Georgia, the lighting of a room plays a major role when the brain is trying to focus. It found that students attending classes in brightly lit rooms achieved higher grades than pupils in dimly-lit rooms; proving that the amount of light a classroom recieves affects a student’s leaning.
The same study also indicates that poor lighting can reduce how effectively the brain collects information and as the pattern of learning in poor lighting continues, the brain can become slower at absorbing new information.
Layout
Different classroom activities benefit from using different layouts and the overall design of a classroom is dependant on the teaching/learning style being demonstrated.
In general, a classroom that is easily navigatable is the best way to improve a student’s learning.
A classroom layout that has a teacher at the front of the class tends to improve interaction and feels naturally comfortable for the students; all of which are likely to improve participation and in turn, receiving better grades.
Furniture
The different types of furniture that is used within a classroom has huge benefits on a student’s learning.
Similar to the previous point about the layout of a classroom, the teacher at the front of the class is the best way for students to engage. Using furniture like whiteboards, flipchart easels and projector screens here are a great way to provide a visual display for every pupil.
This kind of equipment encourages learning and influences good behaviour as well as increasing the attention span.
When it comes to how classroom design affects a student, there are many factors that influence behaviour, learning and engagement. Using these tips are bound to help get pupils more involved in their studies, hopefully improving their enjoyment in the classroom and the overall grades they achieve!
