Research: 5 Principles of Superb Classroom Design

Before there’s curriculum or calendars or lesson plans, there’s the classroom space itself, stripped of last year’s posters and anchor charts. Where should teachers begin? We’ve got the answers.

In this back-to-school episode, editors Youki Terada and Steve Merrill review over 30 high-quality studies on classroom design and boil them down to five big takeaways, from how to use wall decoration to maximize student attention to why potted plants can alter student perceptions of the classroom—and the teacher, too!

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Learn more about this episode

The Science of Classroom Design

Flexible Classrooms: Research Is Scarce but Promising

Designing the Ideal Classroom Space

The Impact of Classroom Design on Pupils’ Learning: Final Results of a Holistic, Multi-level Analysis

The Sweet Spot for Classroom Decorations

Telling the Story of Learning In Displays of Student Work

Making the Most of Your Classroom Walls