The layout of the classroom has not changed much in 150 years. A teacher stands at the front, imparting knowledge, while pupils sit in rows, listening and (hopefully) absorbing that information.
This method of education delivery was drawn, in part, from military instruction and the belief that educating the masses needed to ensure conformity above all else - there was an empire to run, after all.
And classroom design reflected that. Pupils sat at desks in neat lines, spaced apart equally - all akin to a military drill. It’s partly why some schools have the feel of barracks - or, even less generously, a prison.
Why classrooms must evolve
That model may have worked to a point, but it’s clear now that we need something far more compelling - not least because our understanding of the human brain and how we learn has shown us that the “sit and listen” approach is not always optimal.
A big part of this is the understanding that the environment in which we learn plays a major role in the delivery and receipt of information, as well as other important considerations like behaviour.
In fact, perhaps the biggest takeaway from emerging research into classroom design - something I spent three years doing during a sabbatical from education working for a classroom-design company - is how woefully inappropriate they are for learning.
Two of the key determiners of a good learning space are light and acoustics. Harsh overhead strip lighting suggests there is nowhere to hide - something that activates fight-or-flight signals in the brain.
When it comes to acoustics, classrooms can be far too loud and incredibly distracting - just think of your own experience trying to maintain a conversation in a loud restaurant full of chatty customers.
All this means that children’s cognitive loads are high before any attempt at learning even begins.
Simple fixes
So what can be done? There are simple fixes that should not be overlooked.
Firstly, turn the overhead lights off and introduce freestanding lights, like the old standard lamps, that cast light up and down and allow for some shadow.
For acoustic fixes, a good start is to buy an acoustimeter to find your noisy spots. Anything over 40 decibels can reduce cognitive capacity for tasks like reading, writing and memory, and so is worth fixing.
This can be done by using acoustic panels on walls and ceilings, which can help reduce acoustic clutter, and avoiding reflective surfaces, as they reflect sound.
Meanwhile, polymorphic furniture - ideally without sharp edges - allows for mixed learning spaces, including small clusters of peer learners, and can help make spaces more collaborative and engaging.
It’s also worth getting rid of clutter on the walls: displays, while demonstrating activity, are one of the biggest turn-offs for learners, as they are so distracting at a non-conscious level.
Paint and plants
Even paint colours are worth considering: matte finishes using a low-arousal palette with greens, teals and olives help to “dull” the background so it does not distract.
Perhaps most easily, and importantly, get some plants in your classroom - even if they’re plastic. have a direct impact on cognition; in other words, the more children are exposed to nature, the more intelligent they become.
These are all ideas I was able to draw on from my time in classroom design when I returned to education as principal of Rugby School Nigeria - and we now find many children saying, without prompting, how “zen-like” they find the school.
There will, of course, be cost considerations with all of the above, but none is as expensive as you may believe: paint, acoustic panels, lamps, a few plants - so a huge outlay should not be necessary.
The impact, meanwhile, can be transformative.
Dr Adam England is the principal of Rugby School Nigeria
