The way school buildings and grounds are designed can have a tremendous impact on learning. For instance, the presence of digital displays across a network of buildings expands the area of learning from the classroom to the entire campus. Read on to know more about the effects of design on learning environments.
The Importance of Color
A burst of color can lead to stimulating learning environments. One way to accomplish this is by selecting the appropriate color palette for the walls, floor, and ceiling. Remember that light colors make an area look spacious, while dark colors make a certain space look smaller.
Another way to do this is by having visually striking stairs. Aside from being a means to get from one place to another, it can also be a stunning work of art. Apart from the shape, think about the color as well. Excellent staircase design considers form, space, and aesthetics. It maximizes the available space and guides the viewer’s eye from the topmost landing down to the base. This is a crucial element of staircase design and installation.
Visibility Is Important
The safety and security of students is a priority for schools. One of the major challenges they face is bullying. Bullies tend to favor locations that are hidden or far from the eyes of adults. A study published by the National Center for Education Statistics in 2017 states that about 42% of bullied students (aged 12 to 18) experienced the incident in stairwells or hallways.
Fortunately, there is an architectural solution to this: a transparent design that promotes a clear line of sight and features glass windows and walls. This can reduce opportunities for bullying. Aside from this, the ability to see into adjacent spaces promotes visual interconnectivity. It makes learning a communal experience and allows students to be inspired by the work of fellow schoolmates.
Pay Attention to the Outdoors
According to research, outdoor environments can be beneficial to learning. It has an impact on stress reduction and can stimulate one’s creativity. Aside from this, students also get a higher score on exams and are more involved in the discussion if the lesson is hands-on and deeply connected to the surrounding environment.
An outdoor learning environment is an open space that can be used for learning. It can be an area that is partly covered by a roof, where a couple of chairs and tables can be placed. This can also be a place where students can freely observe the sky and see the various types of clouds or the constellations described in their textbooks.
Here is another example: you can put installations such as suspended panels with cutout images in outdoor spaces. When the sun shines through the cutouts, you can teach students about the earth’s rotation as the shadows change lengths and positions. Tell them that the changes are caused by the earth’s movement around the sun.
The philosopher, Aristotle, theorized that humans acquire knowledge through the senses. In other words, the material comes before the abstract. If we follow this idea, it means that the surroundings play a huge role in the facilitation of learning. After all, the learning environment is the first tangible thing that students encounter before they are introduced to the lesson.
Now that you have gained some insights about the interconnection of learning and space design, this will enable you to make an informed decision when renovation comes around.