An exceptional college classroom design requires exceptional thinking. But what does this mean, exactly?
Modern classroom design invites students to engage with not only the instructor and the material, but with the wider campus and the world around them.
When deployed thoughtfully, a more holistic approach to college classroom design can make a greater impact on learners when compared to traditional classroom design. This means taking into consideration the needs of your institution, all of which can improve student retention, assessment outcomes, and completion rates.
6 College Classroom Design Ideas
1. Make learning spaces flexible
2. Foster collaborative environments
3. Embrace tech-friendly spaces
4. Introduce principles of comfortable environmental design
6. Consider sound quality and visuals
A flexible college classroom design supports many learning styles that benefits students; it also allows colleges and universities to offer more courses in a broader range of disciplines without adding new spaces.
When educational spaces can be used for more than one subject or kind of lesson, classroom design enables a multi-purpose space that supports lectures, discussion groups, project-based learning and multimedia presentations.
Here are some simple ways to achieve a more flexible classroom design:
Many of the principles of flexible design also apply to collaborative spaces. Learning spaces equipped with communal tables and whiteboards provide students with opportunities to work together on group projects, share study and research materials and enhance one another’s learning experience.
Mixed use spaces with breakout tables or seating clusters — and open layouts that allow for interaction, debate and conversation — are perfect for discussion or study groups. Providing students with the tools and spaces to work together not only gives them room to succeed in class, but also teaches them vital skills for the modern workforce.
Take a page out of corporate hybrid work and unified communications strategies. Connected classrooms can bring outside lecturers and presenters into the classroom from all around the world. Teleconferencing software and robust hardware to support it unites remote and hybrid learners with their on-campus counterparts, building a sense of community.
Quality makes a difference. Improvements in LED and AV technology translate to a wide array of affordable displays, speakers and teleconferencing hubs to remove AV issues as a learning roadblock.
Power supply and connectivity matters. Provide power stations to keep students’ devices running and opportunities for them to easily connect to communications hubs, cameras, displays and other tools that empower them to learn.
We often talk about a learning environment in the abstract, but the physical space is just as important. Improve comfort and mood by including these environmental factors in your college classroom design:
Connect classroom spaces to lounge and multi-purpose spaces to allow learning to flow from the classroom into daily life in a natural way. Where classroom design is thoughtful and intentional, every public space on your college campus can be part of a unified educational experience.
Reduce echo and noise pollution using acoustic management products. Wall panels, hanging acoustics tiles and three-dimensional pieces, or ceiling fixtures can keep outside noise distraction at bay and make hearing the instructor or remote presenter less challenging in a less-than-acoustically-perfect space. These products can also help students focus when the noises outside their learning spaces are loud and distracting.
If you’re ready to discuss these inspirations with a partner experienced in AV and media design, DGI is waiting to hear your ideas. Our goal is to bring your concepts to completion using the highest quality products and services available. Contact us today to get started.