Education is important for many reasons. It teaches literacy and numeracy skills to children. The skills you learn through education are important throughout life.
Apart from improving families’ standards of living, it also allows people to gain the skills they need to gain employment. Studies also reveal that education is one of the many ways to reduce the racial wealth gap in the United States.
Despite the numerous benefits of education, many kids lack the motivation they need to learn and improve their performance. Generally, education or learning is complex, hence the need for kids to stay motivated.
It becomes necessary to keep kids motivated to continue learning and improve their performance. And, making the classroom learner-friendly is one of the ways students can enjoy learning and be in the classroom.
A classroom that’s friendly to learners is exceptionally comforting. This kind of classroom is habitable and keeps students engaged, ready to learn regardless of the subject in question.
So…
How can you make the classroom learner-friendly? There’re lots of ways to make the classroom-friendly for students. Ranging from spacious classrooms to keeping them organized, the list is endless. Here’re a few ways to make the modern classroom learner-friendly:
4 Tips to Help You Create Learner-Friendly Classrooms
Watch what’s on the walls
There’re two essentials to consider with regards to classroom walls. First, make sure that you keep the visual noise in the classroom low.
Don’t post excess pictures, charts, and other visual elements on the walls because they can distract students. If you must include them on the walls of a classroom, make sure that they enhance learning. And keep them on the wall at the back.
However, you can put up visual learning aids at the front during class. But, you have to remove them after the class to avoid causing distractions.
The color palette you choose is also essential. Avoid using many popping colors on the visuals because they can also cause distractions in the classroom. Keep the color palette neutral and basic with just one or two colors that pop.
Provide backup power
Power is of extreme importance in a school setting, especially the classroom. It enhances the comfort of students and the functionality of various departments in schools. Some uses of electric power in schools and classroom settings include:
- lighting classrooms and hallways
- powering security lighting at night and keeping alarm systems operational
- powering tablets and computers, smart boards, projectors, lamps, and TVs
- powering bells
- keeping computer networks and infrastructure running
- powering smoke detectors and other equipment
- powering public address systems (used in large lecture halls)
- keeping HVAC units operational
Power outages can cause a lot of inconveniences and discomfort in a school setting.
Therefore, power backup becomes necessary in such situations; it ensures the continued operation of schools and classrooms. The importance of a backup generator for a school can’t be underestimated.
With the likes of high-wattage automatic options at https://www.homeheatingheroes.com/best-10000-watt-generator-reviews/, classrooms become comfortable and learner-friendly for ongoing learning.
Installing air conditioning
Research done by Harvard has shown that students can’t concentrate on their studies under extreme weather if the temperatures are either too hot or too cold. A learner-friendly classroom has optimal room temperature to support learning.
A good air conditioning unit does more than just regulate temperatures. Modern air conditioning units also renew and improve air quality. They feature dehumidifiers and air filtration systems that remove allergens, pollen, dust, and other pollutants from the air.
Air conditioning units aren’t built the same. They’re built to meet different needs and functions in various settings. Therefore, the need to install the right HVAC system in the classroom goes without saying.
For instance, you’ll want to consider an air conditioner built for energy-efficiency, low noise levels, easy controls and maintenance, and a good size or capability. The right units ensure that students are comfortable enough to focus on their learning sessions.
Create spaces for different purposes and learning styles
Clearly, effective learning goes beyond ROTE learning.
However, most modern classrooms are designed for lectures and other rote learning techniques. A good classroom has different spaces that encourage other learning methods. This variation is necessary for meaningful learning to occur.
Some useful spaces you can include in the classroom design include:
- A creative space where students engage in creative activities such as drawing, mosaic work, modeling, crafts, brainstorming, painting, etc.
- Collaborative spaces where students can easily collaborate on tasks. The spaces allow students to communicate with each other and solve problems as a team. If there’s no enough space or furniture for this, move desks and chairs to create collaborative spaces.
- Writable spaces where students showcase their writings, pictures, charts, and other learning or creative materials. Usually, the classroom is filled with teachers’ teaching materials. But, students can write and express their thoughts in this space.
Classroom spaces give students the freedom to engage in other activities different from just sitting and listening to the teacher.
Conclusion
A learner-friendly classroom enhances the comfort of students, reduces inconveniences, and promotes learning.
You can achieve this by ensuring you remove visual distractions, maintain a relaxed learning atmosphere, and create spaces where students can become more engaged in learning.