Step into a classroom buzzing with excitement and active participation, and you may just be in an active learning space. Forget passive lectures – here, education is a lively, hands-on adventure that sparks curiosity, amplifies engagement, and lets collaboration flourish. So, how can you bring this energy to your classroom design?
Whether you’re gearing up for back to school or tweaking your classroom throughout the year, read on to discover how to create the perfect active learning. Or, if you need some inspiration, explore our ViewSonic 3D Campus!
You may be wondering, what exactly is an “active learning space?” Unlike the more passive, sit-and-listen learning in conventional classrooms, active learning spaces are designed to empower student-centered teaching approaches. In short, these spaces encourage students to dive headfirst into lesson material, interact with peers, and engage directly with you, the instructor.
For students, there are plenty of benefits of active learning spaces. They can boost motivation, enhance information retention, and improve critical thinking skills. On your end, active learning spaces are a playground for diverse teaching methods and interest based learning, allowing you to adjust your approach on the fly thanks to the more responsive student-teacher interaction these spaces encourage.
What Makes an Active Learning Space?
These spaces are thoughtfully designed to promote interaction and engagement among students. With flexible seating, interactive technology, and dedicated group work areas, they create a dynamic and collaborative learning environment.
Let’s explore the essential components that make an active learning space:
- Flexibility: Whether you need a setup for a lecture, group work, or individual study, active learning spaces adapt to your needs with their movable furniture and technology.
- Collaboration: These spaces, with group-friendly furniture layouts and EdTech, serve as hubs for peer-to-peer learning and teamwork, helping students develop essential social and communication skills.
- Technology Integration: By integrating computers, tablets, interactive displays, and other forms of EdTech, active learning spaces provide access to a wealth of information and interactive experiences, making lessons dynamic and engaging.
If your learning space includes these features, it’s on its way to being an active learning space. Want to know how to make this transformation? Keep reading to find out!
Designing Your Active Learning Space
Designing an active learning space is an exciting process—how often do you get to create an environment that supercharges learning and engagement? Here are some key considerations to get you started:
Understanding Your Space & Goals
Take a moment to really look at your classroom. How can you transform it to spark interaction and collaboration? To narrow down your furniture and technology options, consider these questions:
- How flexible does your furniture need to be? Think about whether you need to reconfigure the space frequently for different activities, such as lectures, group work, or individual study sessions.
- What technology is already in the space? Assess the existing technology and infrastructure and determine if additional EdTech or upgrades are needed.
- Are there physical barriers that might limit collaboration? Identify any fixed elements like walls or furniture that might limit movement and interaction and consider how you can modify or work around these barriers.
Next, define your goals for the active learning space. Take your time, gather your thoughts, and seek input from your students. To get started, ask yourself:
- Who are your students? Consider their age, learning styles, and any special accommodations they may require.
- What are your learning objectives? Think about the learning outcomes you aim to achieve and how the space can help make these goals a reality.
- What activities will take place? Determine whether you want your space to accommodate a mix of different activities or focus on group work or hands-on projects.
By answering these questions, you’ll create a clear vision to design an active learning space that works for everyone. With this understanding, you can confidently begin your design process. Here are three key tips to help you get started:
1. Choosing the Right Furniture
Creating an effective active learning space hinges on the right combination of furniture and technology. To cater to individual learning preferences, opt for flexible, movable furniture that supports a variety of learning activities and accommodates different physical needs. This allows easy transitions from individual work to group projects, and from discussions to presentations, ensuring that each student can engage in the learning style that suits them best in a space that’s accessible for everyone.
2. Integrating EdTech
Now, let’s talk EdTech. You’ll want to prioritize interactive whiteboards, tablets, laptops, and other devices that make learning engaging and fun. These tools can be tailored to different learning styles—whether visual, auditory, or kinesthetic—opening up a world of digital resources and helping students prepare for the tech-infused future they’ll be stepping into. Plus, you’ll want to prioritize EdTech with accessibility features like screen readers, speech-to-text software, and other assistive technologies. This way, every student can benefit from a personalized, active learning space that suits their unique needs. For more on how thoughtful integration of technology can create an inclusive classroom design, read our blog here.
3. Creating Zones for Different Activities
Now that you’ve got your furniture and technology, it’s time for the fun part – designing your space! To create an active learning environment that feels safe and welcoming for everyone, it’s essential to design with inclusivity in mind. This way, your space will meet the physical needs of all students and promote a sense of respect and belonging.
Start by setting up a collaborative zone with tables for group projects and whiteboards for brainstorming. This encourages teamwork and lively discussions, perfect for students who thrive on social interaction and group work. Next, create an independent study area with individual desks or carrels for focused work, providing a quiet place for those who need solitude to concentrate. Finally, design a cozy nook with soft lighting and cushy seating for breaks and quiet reflection—a perfect sanctuary for students needing a break from sensory overload.
To make these zones effective, you’ll want to clearly define and equip them:
- Navigation: Use signs or color-coded decorations to help students easily find their way, ensuring clarity for those with additional visual or cognitive needs.
- Materials: Stock each area with appropriate supplies. Equip study areas with calculators and reference books, group work zones with art supplies, and decorate the reflection nook with calming elements like sensory toys and plants.
- Accessibility: Arrange furniture for easy movement, especially for students using mobility aids. If possible, ensure inclusivity with features like ramps, wide doorways, and adjustable-height desks.
This setup will help students effortlessly switch between activities, stay focused, and get the most out of their learning time. Plus, you’ll create an environment where every student feels respected, valued, and fully included.
Implement Active Learning Strategies
With your active learning space now set up, it’s time to make the most of it. Experiment with teaching methods like flipped classrooms, problem-based learning, and group projects to create engaging, interactive experiences. These approaches align with the environment, helping foster a deeper understanding and better retention of learning material.
Flipped Classrooms
Transforming the traditional lecture-homework routine, flipped classrooms require students to review materials at home, and then engage in hands-on activities during class. Active learning spaces are equipped with EdTech tools and whiteboards to support this approach, facilitating interactive exercises and discussions that bring theory to life.
Problem-based Learning
This involves students addressing real-world challenges to enhance their critical thinking and practical skills. For instance, they might design a sustainable garden for the school, researching plants, climate, and soil conditions, and then creating a detailed plan. With flexible seating and interactive whiteboards, active learning spaces empower this student-led learning, enabling hands-on exploration, collaboration, and problem-solving.
Group Projects
Group projects flourish in active learning spaces. Equipped with modular tables and interactive displays, active learning spaces support brainstorming, idea sharing, and collaborative work. This setup enhances teamwork and communication, making collaboration seamless and effective.
Station Teaching
The flexibility of active learning spaces makes them perfect for station teaching, where two or more educators divide the classroom into different stations, each focusing on a specific part of the lesson. Students rotate through each one, experiencing a mix of teaching styles and activities that boost interaction and keep learning dynamic.
Final Thoughts
By thoughtfully designing classrooms, you can create dynamic active learning spaces that support various activities and improve educational outcomes. After creating these spaces, be sure to use surveys, student performance data, and any other appropriate quantitative or qualitative methods to really gauge what’s working and what needs improvement. With these insights, you can continually fine-tune the active learning space to meet students’ and educators’ evolving needs.
Ready to transform your classroom into an active learning space? Start planning today and explore our ViewSonic Education 3D Campus to see how you can bring your vision to life!
For more insights, check out these must-read articles from our classroom design series: