5 Functions of Active Learning Classrooms
Active learning classrooms are more than just learning spaces outfitted with technology. These engaging and dynamic learning environments support new pedagogy, active learning, and students’ development of essential skills. Implementing active learning spaces puts a greater focus on creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration in schools and supports modern skill sets such as computational thinking, growth mindset, and leadership.
Active learning spaces represent a significant shift from traditional pedagogy, serving a wide range of needs for districts and preparing students for college and future careers. These spaces also infuse flexibility into the classroom and engage students at a greater level. Before implementing active learning spaces in your district, it’s important to consider the functions of these spaces and how these functions can serve the needs of your students and teachers.
Here are 5 functions of active learning classrooms:
Help students succeed
Learning environments that support new pedagogy, curriculum, and personalization with technology will drive higher levels of student engagement and academic achievement. These spaces still allow students to work at their own pace, but provide the space and resources for them to be successful in the classroom.
Allow flexibility
Active learning classrooms allow for reconfiguration of the space depending on the learning objective or collaboration needs. Whether students need to work alone, in pairs, or in small groups, flexible functionality can accommodate various changing needs throughout the day, semester, or year-to-year.
Prepare students for the future
These responsive learning spaces reflect the campuses and workplaces of today, preparing students for college and future careers. Active learning classrooms support brainstorming, collaboration, and a variety of meeting configurations that are similar to modern campuses and workplaces, helping students to build important creativity, communication, and critical thinking skills for their future endeavors.
Promote independent learning
Active early childhood learning spaces provide students with the space necessary to work on their own, building important independent work skills. Students also have voice and choice in these learning spaces, allowing them to choose to facilitate how they learn best and promote ownership of their learning.
Teach a variety of skill sets
The activities enabled by active learning spaces foster the development of the 4C’s: critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration. These skills––as well as other technical and social skills that are acquired from using active learning spaces––set students up to attain positive learning outcomes.
These functions of active learning spaces are only a few of the reasons you should consider creating active learning environments in your school. These highly versatile and engaging classroom spaces allow students to take ownership of and explore their learning while building a variety of essential technical and social skills. To learn more about what districts should consider when creating modern active learning spaces, read 5 essentials for an active learning classroom in eSchool News.