Despite massive changes in 21st century technology and lifestyle, student-centered teaching and pedagogy evolution, K-12 classrooms today look and operate much the same as they did in the prior century. Teacher-centric, row and column classroom structure, and associated furniture types, still widely dominate, mirroring the oratory-based ideologies of over 4,000 years ago. Future-ready classroom design is now ready to move from concept to the classroom.
Curating Classroom Space to Inspire Learning
Advances in understanding about learning environments and pedagogy have gained speed since the beginning of the millennium and have sharply accelerated in the last ten years. Flexibility, open space, user-centered design and a cognitive shift toward active and project-based learning opened up new ways of looking at teaching and learning. Still, in the United States we remain largely surrounded by education facilities sporting tools and teaching practices that match the ideologies of centuries ago.
Innovative designs that support active learning pedagogies have been shown to positively impact student academic engagement across all age cohorts, learning types, building configurations, furniture and classroom layouts. The West Shore School District in Harrisburg, PA adopted a change mindset and integrated the District’s pedagogical dreams with innovative future-ready classroom design and flexible furnishings to create a prototype school in Rossmoyne Elementary.
Tomorrow’s Future Ready Classrooms
Learn more about how future-ready classroom design can merge with educational goals to create learning environments that foster problem solving in both collaborative and independent ways and provide students the skills they will need in the workplace.
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About the Authors
Andy has served as a project architect for numerous public school projects. He has a positive track record for coordinating multi-disciplinary teams to work closely with each district to achieve design objectives following individual educational program goals and PDE requirements. His experience has led to a clear understanding of how well-conceived design can positively impact learning environments. He is an active member of A4LE and serves on the AIA Pennsylvania Education Subcommittee. When not working, Andy can frequently be found working on antique cars with his dad, “honking” with Harrisburg street band No Last Call, or taking part in his...
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With 20+ years of experience, Erin is passionate about educational programming, forward-thinking, future-ready learning environments and the resulting space needs to implement student-centered, personalized learning. She is a strong advocate for educators, the importance of understanding the curriculum drivers and the impact individualized learning and educating have on a successful learning environment. Erin has authored several articles on these topics, with a recent whitepaper focusing on changes in learning environments. She has also served as a conference speaker on the topic of educational spaces, including recently at NSBA where she co-presented with a superintendent and students regarding a collaborative learning...
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