Learning Space Design
It seems obvious but is often forgotten: Teaching and learning should shape the building, not vice versa.
(The Third Teacher, 2010)
Original classroom design at Galloway
Background
A few years ago, while I was looking to change employers, the decision to come to Galloway was quite difficult. I made a pro and con list, and one of the biggest "con" items was simply the state of the classroom: it was smelly with worn-out carpet, hodgepodge construction upgrades, and featured abused and inflexible furniture. To say I was unimpressed was an understatement. After all I was about to leave a classroom that was twice the size for the same number of students in a 5-year old building that featured fresh paint, newer carpet, a full wall of lockable storage, counter, and open display cases. Ultimately, I am thankful that the pro list outweighed; I fine tuned my optimism about my classroom space and decided I'd make the best of it. During the summer when I was moving in to my new teaching space I added paintings and cute sayings, hung a map (fundamental in any history class), and arranged the furniture into four primary table groups all facing the front interactive board.
Two years into teaching at Galloway I knew that I had done what I could with the space and furniture that I was provided. The Ikea tables were losing legs on a regular basis and the metal chairs were not comfortable seating. The head of school suggested I think about applying with an innovation grant to redesign the entire classroom, rather than simply budget to buy new furniture. I approached the learning designer, Kathy, and asked for her advice on new furniture and learning space design. With Kathy's support I designed a classroom with ample writing surfaces, multiple TV displays for whole and small group work, and flexible seating (including varied in height and shape). But, before I would use the newly designed classroom I took a new position at Galloway as a learning designer alongside Kathy. I kept my debate class and was grateful to have it scheduled in the new classroom space so that I could enjoy the design we had crafted.
One of my first projects as a learning designer was to take what I had learned in the research and design of my own classroom renovation to craft a process for renovating learning space designs elsewhere at Galloway. Click the buttons above to learn about the process and see the gallery.
A few years ago, while I was looking to change employers, the decision to come to Galloway was quite difficult. I made a pro and con list, and one of the biggest "con" items was simply the state of the classroom: it was smelly with worn-out carpet, hodgepodge construction upgrades, and featured abused and inflexible furniture. To say I was unimpressed was an understatement. After all I was about to leave a classroom that was twice the size for the same number of students in a 5-year old building that featured fresh paint, newer carpet, a full wall of lockable storage, counter, and open display cases. Ultimately, I am thankful that the pro list outweighed; I fine tuned my optimism about my classroom space and decided I'd make the best of it. During the summer when I was moving in to my new teaching space I added paintings and cute sayings, hung a map (fundamental in any history class), and arranged the furniture into four primary table groups all facing the front interactive board.
Two years into teaching at Galloway I knew that I had done what I could with the space and furniture that I was provided. The Ikea tables were losing legs on a regular basis and the metal chairs were not comfortable seating. The head of school suggested I think about applying with an innovation grant to redesign the entire classroom, rather than simply budget to buy new furniture. I approached the learning designer, Kathy, and asked for her advice on new furniture and learning space design. With Kathy's support I designed a classroom with ample writing surfaces, multiple TV displays for whole and small group work, and flexible seating (including varied in height and shape). But, before I would use the newly designed classroom I took a new position at Galloway as a learning designer alongside Kathy. I kept my debate class and was grateful to have it scheduled in the new classroom space so that I could enjoy the design we had crafted.
One of my first projects as a learning designer was to take what I had learned in the research and design of my own classroom renovation to craft a process for renovating learning space designs elsewhere at Galloway. Click the buttons above to learn about the process and see the gallery.