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As conventional teaching models evolve and emerging technologies gain a solid foothold in classrooms worldwide, formal learning environments require an upgrade to 21st-century practices taking place in them.  Redesigning learning spaces is one of those practices. Active learning spaces have the characteristics of being mobile, flexible, varied, and connected. They value tables, stations, and hubs over rigid structures.

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New pedagogies that leverage technology are impacting the design of learning spaces.  New learning spaces no longer look like traditional classrooms with rows of forward-facing seating arranged in a rectangle.  Instead, they are modular and arranged in ways that support the learning that is desired.   These new learning spaces must move from an industrial model to one that is more student centered. Their design should be maximized to support more collaboration, self-directed learning, active learning, and inquiry and creation.

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7 Learning Zones Every Classroom Must Have

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7 Learning Zones Every Classroom Must Have

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When redesigning learning spaces in today's world, there are 7 learning zones that should be used in the design process.

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For students: More schools are employing audiovisual systems in learning spaces to boost the potential for collaboration and add flexibility for students and faculty.
For teachers: Bucking the “silence your cell phone” trend, teachers are adapting to the shift toward smart learning by not only allowing students to bring devices to class but encouraging them to do so.

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For students: The research process isn’t the same as it was decades ago, thanks to mobile technology and the Internet, and traditional libraries are beginning to change as a result.
For teachers: Experienced teachers who expect students to use sources they can flip through find the move toward fully online research jarring. But modern educators understand today’s students do the bulk of their research online, and must, therefore, accommodate that approach.

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For students: By design, videoconferencing technologies enable collaboration. Learning environments of the near future will share this collaborative focus by making physical spaces more informal, student-centered, and project-focused. This approach could soon grow to include the technology and equipment to allow students to create and model objects as they work together on tasks.
For teachers: Teachers are adapting to a collaborative focus by moving away from lecture-based instruction and toward hands-on education. Now, classrooms more closely resemble the workplace, where co-workers are committed to solving problems together. The increased interaction and negotiation between teachers and students leads to a genuine partnership in education rather than a hierarchical power structure.

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For students: Just as there are spaces dedicated to student-to-student collaboration, there will soon be more spaces built specifically for distance learners. These rooms will feature acoustic panels and ceiling microphones to boost audio quality, plus movable furniture for optimal visual communication. This blending of physical and virtual learning spaces will benefit students on and off campus, since those located in varying locations participate in real-time discussions.
For teachers: Teachers who have successfully implemented distance learning in their classrooms demonstrate flexibility and willingness to adapt tried-and-true teaching styles to make the most of the available technology and meet the needs of students near and far. Educators must also possess patience and a sense of humor, as there will surely be technical hiccups and bumps along the way.

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Designing 21st Century Learning Environments

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Designing 21st Century Learning Environments

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When designing 21st century learning environments, school districts should be asking the following questions:

What knowledge and skills do students need for the 21st century?

What pedagogy, curricula, activities, and experiences foster 21st century learning?

What assessments for learning, both school-based and national, foster student learning of the outcomes, student engagement, and self-direction?

How can technology support the pedagogy, curricula, and assessments of a 21st century collaborative learning environment?

And lastly, what physical learning environments (classroom, school, and real world) foster 21st century student learning?

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A 21st century learning space is characterized by the smart use of space, integration of technology, collaborative stations, and student mobility.

Smart Use of Space:

Spaces are clean and inviting.

Colors are bright.

Natural sunlight is a key feature.

Integration of Technology:

Laptops/iPads allow for independent research.

Smart Boards provide an easy exchange of information.

Collaborative Stations:

Makerspaces encourage active Project Based Learning.

Desk grouping allows for social learning.

Student Mobility:

Mobile desks and chairs encourage students to design their own workspace.

Storage cabinets allow for free space to move around.

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Too many of our libraries and classrooms still look like they did decades ago.  The way our students learn has been transformed, therefore we need to reimagine and transform our spaces to match.  Redesigning a learning space isn’t always easy, but the effort will pay off.  There’s tons of easy, budget friendly ways to makeover your classroom or library.

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NMC/CoSN Horizon Report 2017 K-12 Edition. (n.d.). Retrieved May 24, 2018, from https://www.nmc.org/publication/nmccosn-horizon-report-2017-k-12-edition/

Ohler, J. (2016). 4Four big ideas for the future: Understanding our innovative selves. United States: Brinton Books.

Renwick, M. (2016, March 19).  Redesigning Learning Spaces for Creativity and Innovation.  Retrieved May 30, 2018 from https://readingbyexample.com/2016/03/19/redesigning-learning-spaces-for-creativity-and-innovation/

Woorana Park (2012, May 9).  The Third Teacher.  Retrieved June 4 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UU1-XX7ZwRY&list=PLvzOwE5lWqhQ8D0m_371INljdki3RcVRb&index=5

Calderon, S. (2018, Feb. 12).  Redesigning Learning Spaces.  Retrieved June 4 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzCZuiNJ_D4

John (2016, Aug. 17).  Improved Classrooms:  The Benefits of Redesigned Learning Spaces.  Retrieved June 4 from http://advancedav.com/blog/improved-classrooms-benefits-redesigned-learning-spaces/

Abdurachmanov, B. (2016, Aug. 15).  How to Redesign Your Classroom for the 21st Century.  Retrieved June 7 from http://thelearningmind.com/21st-century-classroom