As education evolves, so does the way that children, teenagers and young adults learn.
Rapid advances in technology in recent years have meant that traditional classrooms, study areas and lecture theatres are more than just places to listen and learn. They are now creative, collaborative workspaces where learners have an array of physical and virtual applications and resources at their disposal to help them consume and digest information. As such, it’s vital that the learning space you create – the place in which teaching and learning occur – is conducive to collaboration and creativity. The same principles should apply regardless of the type of learning space you are trying to create, whether it’s for quiet study, academic teaching, or passive, active, physical, vocational or experiential learning.
Utilising the space available to its full potential is a key element to great learning space design. So, too, is investing in the resources and technology you need to achieve your teaching objectives and deliver the desired learner outcomes. However, arguably, it’s the visual environment you create that can have the biggest impact on your learners. A recent study carried out by the University of Salford found a very clear and significant link between classroom design and learning performance. More so, it found that school design and layout can positively impact learning performance in pupils by 25%. Good visual design is key in delivering the concept and values of your learning ethos, which can be used to inspire learners and motivate staff. Creating colourful and interactive learning spaces can bring your values and ethos to life.
Interior graphic design can develop your school brand, attract and inspire learners and increase a sense of belonging, as well as motivate staff and boost morale. In order to create a highly-visual learning environment, you should bear the following objectives in mind. Your design should be able to motivate learners and promote learning, by being:
Flexible – to enable space to be reallocated and reconfigured
Bold – to create an impact
Creative – to energise and inspire
Nurturing – to foster a supportive, collaborative environment and a sense of belonging and pride.
You should also bear the following things in mind:
Well-designed learning spaces have a motivational effect. Well laid-out space or areas infused with natural light, for example, can provide an environment that is easy and pleasurable to work in. So, when it comes to commissioning your learning space design, have a think about the space you have to work with, the feelings, emotions and messages that you want to convey and the visual elements you want to include.
It’s a proven fact that learners benefit academically from social interaction with their peers. Informal learning areas provide learning environments which support collaborative activities, so think about the way your designs or ideas can complement the space and help encourage better interaction and collaboration.
Creating learning space which reflects your brand, ethos and values not only instils a sense of belonging and pride in your learners, but can also inject a bit of personality into the space which, again, can have a motivating and inspiring impact on your learners and staff.
It’s important to create learning space that is as inclusive as possible, to include the widest range of learners. Visual cues can assist learners’ navigation and help them to adjust their behaviour according to the purpose of the space.
We can provide creative solutions that improve and enhance visual environments within educational settings. We can utilise your core values and aspirations to create bespoke designs that deliver on your objectives. We understand that every school or college is different. Our consultation service is tailored to you and your personal vision. From initial concept to final installation, our team of experts will guide you through the process, to help your transform your learning space into something of which everyone is proud. More and more educational establishments, including universities and academies, are turning to interior design to help motivate students and keep staff morale high.
Order a copy of our learning space graphics brochure today by calling us on 01332 613900 or email marketing@mxdisplay.co.uk, to see how we can help.
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