Date
23 March 2024

Support wellbeing and belonging, consider the impact of emotions and motivation

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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Plan for wellbeing

Plan for wellbeing

Consider the Te Whare Tapa Whā concept of hauora when designing your learning spaces. Provide support for the physical, spiritual, emotional, social, environmental, and relational elements that determine the well-being of individuals and groups.

Create a safe environment

Create a safe environment

In a US high school, students mapped their school, identifying spaces where bullying took place. Consider using this approach to inform your design.

Highlighting difference is risky

Reduce anxiety

Reduce anxiety

Support student wellbeing and lessen the stress of moving into new spaces by transferring specific furniture or items of importance to the learner.

Create structure

Create structure

Organise the environment to minimise students’ cognitive load. Reduce student anxiety by providing familiar supports.

Include students in the design process and agree support for students’ specific needs so they can work more independently and regulate their emotions.

  • Provide landmarks so students can orientate themselves to areas within the school.
  • Use colour to highlight learning areas and draw attention to important information.
  • Use colour, visuals, and words to label organisation systems within the learning space.
  • Develop spaces with a consistent layout.
  • Enable students to personalise areas.
  • Design spaces that allow for quiet withdrawal.

Next steps

More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Design for all from the outset”:

Return to the guide “Planning innovative learning environments (ILEs)”

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