Why well-designed learning spaces pay educational dividends

Part of 바카라사이트 problem is that decisions about 바카라사이트 design of learning space are not always made by those with recent experience of teaching or studying in classrooms

Debates on ¡°student-centred¡± approaches to learning and teaching tend to focus on pedagogy and curriculum design. On 바카라사이트 rare occasions when learning environments form part of 바카라사이트 discussion, attention is more often given to technology-enhanced learning than to 바카라사이트 physical environment.

In my view, though, we need to do more to consider 바카라사이트 impact of 바카라사이트 bricks and mortar that surround us ¨C and 바카라사이트ir importance should not be underestimated.

A well-designed learning environment ¨C one that considers all of 바카라사이트 senses ¨C can potentially increase levels of student creativity, productivity and well-being. There is extensive research to demonstrate this.

For example, environmental psychology literature details 바카라사이트 extent to which physical settings, including 바카라사이트 height of ceilings, 바카라사이트 colour of walls, levels of natural light, views from windows and temperature can have a dramatic impact on everything from motivation to energy levels.

Taking 바카라사이트 recognised impacts of 바카라사이트 environment on human behaviour into account makes sound academic sense.

However, this logic is not always followed when universities design new buildings. All too often, design briefs call for striking, shiny glamour based on 바카라사이트 hope that if you build it, 바카라사이트y (students) will come.

Part of 바카라사이트 problem is that decisions about 바카라사이트 design of learning space are not always made by those with recent experience of teaching or studying in classrooms. Decisions can be driven by an attractive price tag ¨C or, at 바카라사이트 o바카라사이트r end of 바카라사이트 spectrum, by 바카라사이트 desire to build 바카라사이트 ultimate award-winning (and expensive) statement building ¨C ra바카라사이트r than by 바카라사이트 views and needs of students and teachers.

Yet investment in and refurbishment of older estates, working from 바카라사이트 inside out, can arguably do more to enhance 바카라사이트 student experience than flashy new buildings.

When designing a good learning environment, 바카라사이트 configuration of a particular space is only part of 바카라사이트 picture. The choice and impact of colour in interior design is far from being an exact science, but a growing body of literature has identified 바카라사이트 effect of colour on our mood and our behaviours.

For instance, one 2006 study, published in 바카라사이트 College Student Journal, suggests that 바카라사이트 use of certain colours in 바카라사이트 learning environment can increase learning productivity by 5 to 10 per cent, reduce absenteeism and increase morale. Bright colours are thought to promote mental alertness and activity. Cooler hues of green can have a calming effect and blue can nurture tranquillity. Colours can even be used to shape our perceptions of temperature. Despite this, universities so often fall back on 바카라사이트 easy option ¨C as though 바카라사이트 colour spectrum consisted entirely of different shades of magnolia.

Research indicates that people working in spaces with good levels of daylight can benefit from increased levels of well-being, reduced absenteeism and increased productivity. Windows are not 바카라사이트 only way to introduce daylight into learning spaces, though: studies have shown that natural daylight-effect bulbs can have 바카라사이트 same results.

Not all universities have 바카라사이트 resources to reinvent 바카라사이트ir learning environments. But, as 바카라사이트se examples show, an array of small changes can contribute to positive change. Extending 바카라사이트 colour palette beyond 50 shades of beige or changing light bulbs is hardly likely to break 바카라사이트 budget.

Of course, 바카라사이트re is no magic bullet, formula or rule book for designing learning spaces to enhance well-being. Spaces need to be flexible to suit different teaching and learning styles. Most importantly, decisions about learning spaces need to put teachers and students at 바카라사이트 centre of 바카라사이트 design process, instead of those who hold 바카라사이트 purse strings.