Date
15 March 2024
11445 [ILEs.jpg]

Planning innovative learning environments (ILEs)

​Sensitivity to individual differences and learner variability must be a driver for planning decisions. Plan in partnership with students, teachers, parents, and experts.

Understanding pedagogy

​Learn about the pedagogy that informs design and practice in an inclusive ILE.

Video hosted on Vimeo http://vimeo.com/283328533

Design flexible, inclusive environments that are respectful of and responsive to individual learner preferences, needs, and values.

Strategies for action

Five key strategies supporting a school-wide approach to planning and developing an inclusive ILE.

​Collaborate to develop an inclusive ILE

Engage with students, teachers, parents and whānau, experts, and your local community. Work together to plan an ILE that meets the specific needs of your whole community.

Video hosted on Vimeo http://vimeo.com/73105645

Involve students in the design process from the outset. Utilise student inquiry and ensure students form part of your planning team.

Four suggestions for implementing this strategy:

Develop inclusive teaching practices

Create multiple opportunities for teachers to expand innovative practices in flexible learning spaces. Work with staff to identify potential barriers to learning and wellbeing and plan collaborative approaches, utilising UDL principles that support all students.

Six suggestions for implementing this strategy:

Design for all from the outset

A flexible learning space will work well for everyone only if it is designed to do so. Design a plan from the outset that includes all students, particularly those experiencing barriers to learning.

Video hosted on Vimeo http://vimeo.com/89558711

Place students at the centre of design and planning.

– Consult with students, teachers, parents and whānau, and specialists.
– Identify learning needs and preferences.
– Design flexible spaces to meet those needs, and future needs.

Six suggestions for implementing this strategy:

  1. Design for flexible use of space

    Includes:

    • Video
    • Resources
  2. ​Reflect cultural perspectives

    Includes:

    • Video
    • Resources
  3. Consider gender and sexuality perspectives​

    Includes:

    • Video
    • Resources
  4. ​Consider mobility needs

    Includes:

    • Resources
  5. Consider sensory needs​

    Includes:

    • Resources
  6. Support wellbeing and belonging

    Includes:

    • Video
    • Resources

Involve students in transition to new space

Change can be difficult for all learners, particularly those with ASD, ADHD, Down syndrome, FASD, visual impairments, and audio processing disorders (APD). Visit and re-visit the new space and new routines to ensure a successful transition.

Video hosted on Youtube http://youtu.be/8lOKS8Mv-8M

Students from Te Waka Unua School visit Halswell School to see their new design and gather ideas for their own learning spaces.

Three suggestions for implementing this strategy:

Work with parents and whānau

Partner with parents and whānau to support students to transition successfully into the new environment. Plan approaches to learning, systems, and routines with the needs of individual learners, particularly those who experience challenges, in mind.

Video hosted on Vimeo http://vimeo.com/186358081

Parents, Dayna and Phil share the benefits of ongoing conversations supporting a successful transition for their daughter into an ILE.

Three suggestions for implementing this strategy:

Key resources

Website

Designing learning environments

This section explores the relationship between the physical spaces of schools and teaching and learning, and offers case studies, research and links to other sources about making the most of the physical elements at school.

Innovative Learning Environments

Innovative learning environments

This research-based book, based on 40 in-depth case studies of innovative twenty-first-century learning environments, describes how to design a powerful learning environment where learners can thrive.

Publisher: OECD Publishing

The nature of learning Using research to inspire practice

The nature of learning: Using research to inspire practice

Read time: 72 min

The lessons from research on the nature of learning and different educational applications are explained in this book. These are summarised through the seven key principles of learning.

Publisher: OECD Publishing

The impact of physical design on student outcomes

The impact of physical design on student outcomes

Read time: 94 min

This report summarises research aimed at better understanding design features of learning spaces in the context of learning and achievement. Topics covered in this report include: lighting, heating, acoustics, indoor and outdoor spaces, and furniture considerations.

Website

Education Infrastructure School Design Guidance Documents

Read time: 59 min

Information and downloadable resources for school property projects

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