Field Blog Post 1/ Classroom Layout
Question I will be exploring: What aspects of the classroom design encourage imagination, inovation, sharing of knowledge and active learning?
In Chapter 3 "Creating an Environment for Learning," Ayers
stresses the effects classroom design has on the learning process. At Mercer, I
found that the classroom I observed was organized in a way that promoted
innovation, sharing of knowledge and active learning. For example, the way in
which the students' desks were arranged promoted sharing of knowledge. Instead
of being isolated in individual desks, the kindergarteners shared large group
tables which allowed them to help and encourage each other. This arrangement
thus encourages the social nature of learning that Ayers finds extremely
important (page 44). Also, the placement of the teacher's desk promoted active
learning. The teacher's desk was tucked away in the corner of the classroom.
Thus, the teacher was forced to move from one student table to the next, asking
questions and conversing, instead of inertly lecturing from the front of the
classroom. Desk arrangement was also an important topic of discussion in our
education class. We noted how the arrangement of our desks into a circle
promotes conversation.
In addition to desk arrangement, another significant aspect of the layout of
the room was the play area. Nearly half of the room was taken up by a
carpeted play area that included objects such as blocks, toy cars, and
a plastic kitchen set. The block area promotes innovation because it
allows the children to build and create various structures. The kitchen area
promotes imagination because the children pretend to cook fake foods. Overall,
the play area promotes active learning because it provides hands-on activities
that increase knowledge and skills.
Here is a classroom with a hands-on play area much like Mercer's.
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