Design for flexible use of space
Suggestion for implementing the strategy ‘Designing and configuring flexible learning spaces to support the full participation and engagement of all students’
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Design adaptable spaces
Design adaptable spaces
Design spaces that support flexible teaching approaches that meet the sensory, mobility, learning, and cultural needs of all students.
Expand the hotspots on the High School Classroom simulator.
Enable student choice
Enable student choice
Students at Halswell School describe how they use different spaces and why they choose to work in them.
Caves, watering holes, and campfires
Caves, watering holes, and campfires
Stephen Collis describes physical and virtual spaces, which provide flexibility. Students can re-arrange them to meet their needs.
Using larger spaces
Using larger spaces
Larger, open learning spaces provide the flexibility to work in different groupings.
- Students can learn collectively and can easily come together in larger groups for activities such as kapa haka and waiata.
- Open learning spaces support tuakana-teina relationships between students and teachers.
- Students can work in separate spaces that are quiet and have low stimulus.
- Multiple groupings within open learning spaces support different teacher locations within the room and increase discursive teaching practice, which is linked to higher Māori student achievement.
- Orient spaces to receive good sunlight – natural light is linked to increased student achievement and Tamanui-te-rā (the sun) is important in the whakapapa of Māori culture.
Design outside spaces
Design outside spaces
Create visual and tactile landmarks to support student orientation when working and moving in and around outdoor spaces.
In your design, consider:
- coloured or tactile pathways for moving between buildings
- sculptures or cultural artifacts to act as keys to locations and spatial mapping of areas
- safe spaces where students can seek support from a peer or an adult
- using clear, high contrasting signage to identify buildings
- naming and attaching visuals to buildings, so that students can easily identify spaces.
Useful resources
Useful resources
Flexible learning spaces: How the design of spaces can help student achievement
Read time: 3 min
Publisher: Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga
Download PDF
The impact of physical design on student outcomes
Read time: 94 min
Publisher: Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga
Download PDF
Next steps
More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Design for all from the outset”:
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Current page Design for flexible use of space
Return to the guide “Planning innovative learning environments (ILEs)”
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Guide to Index of the guide: ILEs
Understand:
Strategies for action:
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Collaborate to develop an inclusive ILEShow suggestions for Collaborate to develop an inclusive ILE
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Support inclusive teaching practicesShow suggestions for Support inclusive teaching practices
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Design for all from the outsetShow suggestions for Design for all from the outset
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Involve studentsShow suggestions for Involve students
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Work with parents and whānauShow suggestions for Work with parents and whānau
