2024 Designed Learning Spaces
The Designed Learning Spaces at EDspaces are fully realized, interactive classroom environments that demonstrate the latest trends in educational design. Created in collaboration with architects, designers, manufacturers, and dealers/distributors, these spaces are unique to EDspaces because they bring to life innovative concepts in flexible, student-centered learning environments. Attendees can explore and interact with these spaces, experiencing how furniture, technology, and design elements come together to foster collaboration, creativity, and engagement in real-world educational settings.
Classroom 362 EF: Experiential Learning with Career Technical Education by Harriman and Hertz Furniture
Goal:
ENGAGE ENVISION EXECUTE
Career Technical Education refers to the process of Experiential Learning where students explore future career paths through real world experiences before pursuing a career through higher education or the work force.
This process of learning by doing engages the students in hands on experience and reflection.
They are then able to connect the theories and knowledge learned in the classroom to real world situations.
Our CTE Classroom Model connects the 3 Steps of Experiential Learning with 3 Support Areas within the classroom.
Focus:
The types of furniture placed within the 3 Support Areas aid in the success of the space overall.
Step 1. ENGAGE the students in Active Learning with furniture that fosters discussion and participation.
Mobile, flexible chairs and tables that are height adjustable and laid out as a circle with an inward focus enable communication amongst peers.
Step 2. Provide an area of retreat where students can reflect on what they just learned and practice their problem-solving skills.
Furniture that is soft and mobile allows students the opportunity to work alone or in groups in a relaxed setting where their imagination can take over and they can ENVISION solutions.
Step 3. This area allows the students to put their problem-solving skills into action and EXECUTE results. This area has flexible furniture that is made to withstand activities involved in physically creating solutions. Sturdy worksurfaces along with multiple storage options for supplies and tools support the ideal maker space area.
When it’s time to present results to their peers the mobile furniture can be easily reconfigured into one large demonstration area by the students for ideal viewing of presentations.
Impact:
The ENGAGE ENVISION EXECUTE Experiential CTE Classroom Model provides the steps for success, within the classroom and beyond, in Lifelong Learning by Doing.
Partners:
Coordination, Installation and Vendor Partnerships provided by Hertz Furniture.
Vendor Partners: WB Manufacturing, Fomcore, Haskell
Classroom 371 BCEF: Welcome to the Neighborhood by RATIO x Smith System
Goal:
Our goal is to create a dynamic and engaging learning environment that embodies the spirit of a neighborhood, fostering a sense of community and belonging. This space is
designed to support diverse learning styles and activities through flexible, functional, and safe spaces. We aim to enhance both the educational and emotional experiences of students by integrating individual, collaborative, small group, and whole group learning opportunities.
Focus:
Flexible furniture options improve student engagement by enabling them to select seating that matches their preferences and requirements for different activities. Adjustable desks and movable chairs support comfortable group collaboration, individual focus, and active participation in discussions, creating a more dynamic learning environment. This variety in furniture promotes self-choice and encourages movement, enhancing concentration and participation in classroom tasks. Ultimately, students develop a stronger sense of self through the freedom of choice offered throughout the day.
Impact:
The “Neighborhood” transforms traditional learning by fostering a sense of community and engagement through flexible, student-centered design, ultimately enhancing both academic performance and emotional well-being.
Partners:
Mohawk Group, Smith System
Classroom 370 BCEF: Pure Imagination Studio by Multistudio + MUZO
Goal:
This versatile kit-of-parts provides educator agency and supports key principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL): offering multiple means of engagement, representation, and action & expression to support every learner. The wide range of positionalities that learners bring to classrooms today means no single setting is likely to create a strong sense of belonging for everyone, every day. The reconfigurability of this space means it can easily transform from session-to-session, or day-to-day, to support varying positionalities.
Focus:
The “freedom” to affect one’s place, position, and posture within the space supports more opportunities for self-regulation. The overall organization of the classroom supports the opportunity for organic furniture arrangements throughout the space while still providing a sense of spatial organization to ground users within the space. This allows student reconfigurations to occur without causing as much spatial chaos. Learners that don’t thrive in larger open spaces have options for pre-made sensory spaces in which to retreat including the Box Lounger, the Agile Pod, and the ability to enclose sub-spaces with X-Bricks.
Impact:
Pragmatically, the space supports a wide range of learning modes including group-based work, project-based work, independent work and direct instruction. The versatile seating supports a range of ergonomic needs from elementary through adult learners. Half of the classroom (areas with green flooring) feature outdoor grade furniture, plants, and a color palette relating to colors and finishes of the natural environment. These cognitive connections to nature provide restorative properties to reduce stress, lower heart rates, improve mood, extend attention spans, and enhance cognitive function – all aspects of biophilic design.
Partners:
Muzo, Patcraft, Wacebo
Classroom 372 BC: Focus, Gather, and Nurture by Kimball International
Goal:
We recognize that everyone learns in different ways and styles, but something all students need are spaces to Focus, Gather, and Nurture. By providing these three spaces in classrooms, students are given the freedom of choice. Whether students choose to focus alone or within a small group, collaborate and socialize, or find a spot of respite, a carefully curated classroom can craft a meaningful experience for everyone. This design brings all three of those spaces into one classroom. There are more traditional and flexible learning spaces to focus, lounge furniture to gather, socialize, and collaborate, and space for nurturing and respite, which includes outdoor furniture and rocking chairs for movement.
Focus:
The Focus, Gather, and Nurture classroom is divided into three spaces:
Focus – This space shows a more traditional learning environment, with a mobile area that encourages users to move the furniture around. This mobility and flexibility supports individual needs and reinforces a sense of belonging.
Gather – At the heart of this space is socialization, communication, and collaboration. There are spaces to sit and socialize as well as worksurfaces at varying heights to collaborate.
Nurture – This space allows for respite, relaxation, and access to nature. Whether the classroom is indoors or outside, biophilia provides a sense of calm. This area was designed with neurodivergent students in mind. The rockers provide motion to help with the need to move.
Impact:
This classroom fosters belonging, collaboration, and empowers students to have choice while providing a comfortable and flexible environment for the instructors.