Schools need to innovate both instruction and learning space to make themselves relevant to digital-native learners. Here is my concept of an ideal learning space. This is designed for middle and high school classrooms.
Note that the layout is teacher-centered. However, this is done intentionally to facilitate making instruction student-centered.
Please let me know what you think by completing the embedded form or by commenting below.
Tom Mullaney is an education consultant dedicated to making school engaging for students and sustainable for teachers. Tom’s public education experience includes Special Education, Social Studies, educational technology coaching, and digital design. He is a Google for Education Certified Innovator, Trainer, and Product Expert who has spoken at national conferences including SXSW EDU, the National Council for the Social Studies, and ISTE. He shares educational technology ideas on his YouTube channel. Use Tom’s TED-Ed lesson to teach your students about the French Revolution. Contact him on Twitter, @TomEMullaney or via e-mail, mistermullaney@gmail.com.
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15 Comments
I love your classroom layout and have much the same in my grade 1 room. I found it useful to cut the legs shorter on some of my tables so that the students can sit on the floor at the table. It helps with the moving of chairs around the room and if you don’t have enough chairs.
Very nice. I love the flexible nature of the design. I am looking at materials from SteelCase for maximum mobility and flexibility. Honestly, I am thinking of moving 1/2 of my class sessions into the Learning Commons (and not simply because the cafe there makes excellent hot chocolate, but it doesn’t hurt).
This space has great ideas for consideration. As a world language teacher, I struggle with establishing a recording station that offers a quiet space. Any ideas would be welcomed.
A very talented teacher once told me the best place to record voice is your closet because clothes absorb background noise. Think about how schools are just the opposite – large open spaces with hard surfaces for sound to bounce off. Your issue is tough. Could you collaborate with a music teacher who might have a good space for recording sound? Could your media center set up a recording space?
I’ve wondered about creating a recording “booth” by lining a box with egg cartons and setting it on a desk with the open end to the speaker and a place to prop the recording device inside. They just need to lean in a little.
I got great advice for screencasting from a lady I met at a GAFE Summit. She suggested putting a large cardboard box on a desk with the microphone inside. You can line it if necessary. The student records their voice by leaning into the box, as someone else has suggested here. It’s handy because you don’t lose line of sight but still get the benefits of a “quiet” space. That might help?
Thank you for sharing your designs. We’re in the process of designing a pilot for our Fifth Grade classrooms and have some of the same ideas! One of my EdTech support teachers really likes the bikes in the classroom for the kinesthetic learners
This looks great. I particularly like the standing desks – I would love to incorporate that more here. I’m intrigued by the reading bikes – I’ll have to look into that? Do the kids get much reading done??
I haven’t been in a school with them yet. I would love to try them. This is my ideal learning space so it incorporates things I’ve seen in use and things I would like to see.
Tom Mullaney 
I love your classroom layout and have much the same in my grade 1 room. I found it useful to cut the legs shorter on some of my tables so that the students can sit on the floor at the table. It helps with the moving of chairs around the room and if you don’t have enough chairs.
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I love it, Nicole! Thank you for reading.
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I am working toward a similar set up for next year. Will keep you up to date.
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Very nice. I love the flexible nature of the design. I am looking at materials from SteelCase for maximum mobility and flexibility. Honestly, I am thinking of moving 1/2 of my class sessions into the Learning Commons (and not simply because the cafe there makes excellent hot chocolate, but it doesn’t hurt).
LikeLiked by 1 person
This space has great ideas for consideration. As a world language teacher, I struggle with establishing a recording station that offers a quiet space. Any ideas would be welcomed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A very talented teacher once told me the best place to record voice is your closet because clothes absorb background noise. Think about how schools are just the opposite – large open spaces with hard surfaces for sound to bounce off. Your issue is tough. Could you collaborate with a music teacher who might have a good space for recording sound? Could your media center set up a recording space?
LikeLike
I’ve wondered about creating a recording “booth” by lining a box with egg cartons and setting it on a desk with the open end to the speaker and a place to prop the recording device inside. They just need to lean in a little.
LikeLike
I got great advice for screencasting from a lady I met at a GAFE Summit. She suggested putting a large cardboard box on a desk with the microphone inside. You can line it if necessary. The student records their voice by leaning into the box, as someone else has suggested here. It’s handy because you don’t lose line of sight but still get the benefits of a “quiet” space. That might help?
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Daena, that is a great idea! That would fit in a great learning space for sure!
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Love the comments! Thank you for your feedback!
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Thank you for sharing your designs. We’re in the process of designing a pilot for our Fifth Grade classrooms and have some of the same ideas! One of my EdTech support teachers really likes the bikes in the classroom for the kinesthetic learners
LikeLiked by 1 person
Check out Diana Sullivan’s awesome learning space:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1duJJoPeI_k4N5AchU5tOxZXrrYPZ417eGQ/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/19dM0C95AwGMj5rZDX4cF-UlYIVy_637Mmw/view
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This looks great. I particularly like the standing desks – I would love to incorporate that more here. I’m intrigued by the reading bikes – I’ll have to look into that? Do the kids get much reading done??
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I haven’t been in a school with them yet. I would love to try them. This is my ideal learning space so it incorporates things I’ve seen in use and things I would like to see.
LikeLike