Churchill’s quotation is the starting point for this journey into learning environments.

The learning environment is sometimes referred to as the third teacher (after parents and educators) because—in the same way that they shape behaviour—our environments encourage us to notice things and behave in certain ways.

The purpose of this course is to unlock the power of the physical learning environment to support and enhance teaching and learning.

Through a series of lessons and activities we will explore a range of different (evidence-based) principles using the following process:

  • Explore: learn more about what the research says makes a difference in the design and use of physical learning environments.

  • Unpack: deepen your understanding through a range of interactive activities and case studies.

  • Apply: transfer understanding to your own learning environment to enhance the role it can play in supporting effective teaching and learning.

FAQs:

  • Teachers and leaders who are interested in creating effective learning environments. It is ideal if you have a level of flexibility built into your environment (the ability to make changes to room layouts and furniture configurations) but the insights you gain can also be applied to traditional environments. The course is designed to be completed collaboratively so the conversations build into shared understandings and commitment.

  • The course is self-paced so you can move as quickly or as slowly as you like. If you’ve got a block of three or four hours, you’ll likely be able to complete on of the chapters in that time. If you’d prefer to approach it as ‘a little bit often’ you can spread your learning across a term, two terms, or a whole year.

  • Very! Each chapter introduces a converts research findings into very practical ‘classroom-ready’ implementation steps. You’ll develop a set of tools and approaches that will impact on your practice immediately.

  • Great! This course will help take things to the next level and provide you with review questions and new insights to strengthen that good practice.

“We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us”
— Winston Churchill
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