Flexible Learning &

Flexible Design
Karter Sutch
What is it?

● Think of your ideal seat, what is it?

● Brief overview of of what it is and how it
works
○ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cscJcRKYxA
watch from 1:14-2:12 and 2:54-3:55

● Our experience with the topic

Background Research
A 2012 study from the University of Minnesota found:

● Students participated 48 percent more in discussions in a classroom with collaborative

group seating versus traditional lecture-style seating
● Performance on standardized tests also improved

BROOKS, D. Christopher. Space and consequences: The impact of different formal learning spaces on instructor and student behavior.
Journal of Learning Spaces, [S.l.], v. 1, n. 2, june 2012. ISSN 21586195. Available at:
<http://libjournal.uncg.edu/jls/article/view/285/282>. Date accessed: 07 mar. 2018.
Here is Some of What the Research Suggests
Things to consider:

● Designing Learner-Centered Spaces

○ Shifting from knowledge transfer to knowledge creation and curation
● Designing for Collaboration
○ Developing students who can work together, engage in respectful discourse and problem solve
● Designing for Self Directed Learning
○ The opportunity and choice to work independently is important
● Design for Active Learning
○ Learning should involve experience; students need to be able to move
● Designing for Relationship Building
○ Learning spaces should promote social interaction
Class Discussion

● These classrooms are quite common for K-8 classrooms, but could you see this working in a
high school?
● How could you see this working in different departments within a high school?
Ex: Science Classroom versus Languages Classroom?
● How could this type of classroom affect your classroom management or your teaching
style?
Thank you are there any questions?
 Ressources
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cscJcRKYxA

https://www.edutopia.org/practice/flexible-classrooms-providing-learning-oenvironment-kids-need

https://www.edutopia.org/blog/8-tips-and-tricks-redesign-your-classroom

https://www.edutopia.org/blog/rebooting-industrial-era-seating-eric-sheninger-thomas-
murray?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow

https://www.edutopia.org/article/flexible-classrooms-assembly-required

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/literacynumeracy/inspire/research/CBS_ThirdTeacher.pdf

BROOKS, D. Christopher. Space and consequences: The impact of different formal learning spaces on instructor and student behavior.
Journal of Learning Spaces, [S.l.], v. 1, n. 2, june 2012. ISSN 21586195. Available at:
<http://libjournal.uncg.edu/jls/article/view/285/282>. Date accessed: 07 mar. 2018.