5 Reasons Students Today Need Innovative Learning Spaces

When we get through this pandemic, and we will get through it, we'll be thinking differently about how, and where, we educate our students. – KW

“If we teach today’s students as we taught yesterday’s, we rob them of tomorrow.” - John Dewey, American philosopher, psychologist, and educational reformer

That the future of learning and development requires around technology and innovation is a simple reality. Today, students need creative learning spaces to help them build knowledge and think like creators.

With the right use of technology, learners can witness an increase in information-retaining and concentration abilities. Innovation is also likely to boost learner-centered education programs. Online projects with interesting education questions and answers will provide students the chance to build their capacity to collaborate and enhance their skills.

A rapid increase in flexible learning environments is allowing students to study together or independently. If they wish, they can meet at a local coffee shop and use the Wi-Fi to keep up with school-related tasks. Integrating these kinds of learning environments directly into the school structure is offering many advantages.

Why innovative learning spaces are necessary

In terms of learning management systems for higher education, educators believe that the physical environment should nurture and foster learning opportunities for the growth of students. Many schools are focused on designing the right kind of physical space that allows students to be creative while offering them real-time learning opportunities is the key objective. The aim is to transform today’s students into effective collaborators and innovators who can solve future problems.

Here are 5 reasons as to why innovative learning environments are crucial:

Redefining the concept of space

Space is of great importance to humans. The idea of space has evolved with the proliferation of remodeling shows. The same applies to learning spaces on which lie the future of learning and development. Learning spaces need to have great aesthetics with superb planning. They must have all the necessary tools and resources to promote and encourage active learning. Learning must be flexible, not confined to a dedicated space.

According to Lynn Marenette, a designer of learning experiences, innovative learning spaces have the following features –

1. Very flexible and easily adjustable to any learning activity
2. Promote movement and groupings
3. Encourage the integration of curriculum
4. Provide room for hands-on exploration, building, and making
5. Support the development of cognition
6. Allow students to acquire knowledge by examples
7. Support technology integration
8. Enhance social development as well as social interaction

Enhancing collaboration and flexibility

An innovative learning space is much more than removable furniture or an open area. Such a learning environment is thoughtfully and carefully planned for the promotion of collaboration. When a learning space can be transformed with ease, allowing for interaction and easy movement, students can thrive better. This is necessary to develop collaborative abilities in students.

To be able to perform in collaborative settings, learners must draw upon their social skills, as well as interpersonal skills, to share ideas and solve problems while working together. If a learning space is designed to reflect the collaborative process, it nurtures significant decision-making and creative skills.

Promoting time and grouping flexibility

Due to changing learning structures, space and time can be limited sometimes. Grouping and scheduling have to be done creatively to allow flexibility. When a learning space is flexible, it is fluid and can evolve based on the present need.

An excellent example of a flexible learning space is the Singapore American School. This school made sure that the Middle School program had flexible time and grouping integrated into it. It requires teachers to work diligently to embed this opportunity in their schedule. This initiative would help the learners meet and help each other while collaborating on projects and presentations.

Teachers can best use their flexible time by taking formative assessment data and analyzing them to decide how to group and regroup students with time. That way, teachers can continue to point out strengths and weaknesses while personalizing instructions.

Fostering individualized learning

A powerful concept in the world of education is personalized learning. Allowing students to learn at their own pace is a focus here. Individualized learning ensures that students succeed. Combining this with an innovative, flexible space provides the tools and support needed.

Flexible learning also has a role to play in the staff recruitment process in schools. It also influences how schools design their physical spaces and source the tools and resources needed to foster individualization. Giving instructors the chance to meet and dialogue concerning learners' performances while exchanging strategies to encourage personalized learning for students represents a win-win situation for all parties involved.

Creating out-of-school opportunities

The learning environment has dramatically changed with the introduction of online instruction, community collaboration, and dual enrollment. With the evolution and transformation of education by competency-based, as well as individualized programs, learning can now take place outside the four walls of the traditional classroom. Students now only have to decide to take on these new challenges and explore the opportunities.

Online courses work as the route for students who need to compensate for failing grades or be ahead of their peers. We've also seen the rise of community partnerships, as well as programs centered on specific industries. With the aid of these programs, students can get access to opportunities for one-on-one coaching by professionals to build the level of insight they must have for their preferred careers.

Conclusion

The expectations from the modern-day study curriculum are at an all-time high. However, educators want to ensure that the interests of young learners are protected while they learn in complex and tech-driven societies. Placing focus on creating innovative learning spaces with top-notch aesthetics will benefit students now and in the future.

Innovative learning spaces will take into consideration the personal abilities of the student to ensure that they become well-rounded and more productive. If you want to learn more about upcoming technologies and innovations in this field, then forums like Quora, ProProfs Discuss and Answers.com can fill you in. These platforms have many educators and students discussing pertinent education questions and answers every day along with in-field and industry experts who share valuable insights.