What do classrooms look like

In India, students observe traditional rituals. Students in Tunisia cross their arms to show that they're paying attention. This third-grade class in Vietnam's Dong Van district has no electricity or books. Students sit in colorful chairs in Marseille, France. In Eichenau, Germany, students eat breakfast before starting their day. First-grade students and their teacher, Teruko Takakusaki, posed for a photo during their homeroom period in Tokyo, Japan.

A group of chemistry students studied their equipment at Sydney Grammar School in Australia. Syrian refugee students in second grade waited for the start of their first lesson in Ankara, Turkey,.

In Sao Paulo, Brazil, students used cigarette butts for an art project. In the Basque fishing town of Bermeo, northern Spain, students learned in a colorful classroom with orange walls. Art teacher Hanna Snitko posed for a picture with final year students in Kiev, Ukraine. Sign In Subscribe. Design Matters, Say Researchers. Reset Search. Teaching Profession.

By Jordan Moeny — April 07, 3 min read. Share article Remove Save to favorites Save to favorites. Jordan Moeny.

Related Tags: Research School Safety. A version of this news article first appeared in the Teaching Now blog. Thank you for subscribing. Integrated schools are important because they teach children how to get along with classmates from different backgrounds and underline the democratic message that in America, we are all social equals. Low-income students attending mixed-income schools are as much as two years ahead of low-income students in high-poverty schools, so we must ensure not only that the arrangement of the desks is equitable but also that the backgrounds of the students occupying those desks are diverse.

Classrooms at the elementary-, middle-, and high-school levels will look very different. Elementary classrooms will have work stations that can be easily moved throughout the room so students can begin fostering relationships with each other.

Middle-school classrooms begin to mature with the students, incorporating informal seating areas like window seats and benches with collaborating worktables. This will allow students to become comfortable working in teams and also to seek out space for personal reflection and work.

High-school classrooms will be designed by students themselves, providing breakout space for group work and more private areas for individual work and studying. High-school classrooms will reflect the transition that students are facing, allowing for independence but also providing a nurturing environment for curiosity. Classrooms at all levels will have interactive technology, books, and e-readers, and as much natural light as possible.

Further, all schools will think about non-traditional learning spaces such as gardens, kitchens, and places off campus. Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers. The idea of prescribing what a classroom should look like is laughable.

In New York, I negotiated a contract that said the arrangement of furniture should be up to the teacher and based on the needs of the class. Every classroom will be properly apportioned for its purpose. A science lab needs scientific equipment. A music room needs instruments. All classrooms need enough desks for the students and enough books for every child. Technology can be a powerful tool, but it must be implemented with the intention of enhancing educator-facilitated learning, not replacing it.

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