7 stages to creating the modern classroom

What will the classroom of tomorrow look, sound, and feel like? Developments in technology, space and pedagogy can all be acknowledged as key to the progress of the modern classroom.

These evolved learning spaces will be a powerful catalyst for personalised learning, student engagement, classroom collaboration and interactive feedback. By using modern resources and platforms, the modern classroom can be adopted by all teachers.

1. Create a design brief

Create a design brief for your learning space that considers space, pedagogy and technology and how they work together. A strong brief is essential to setting out your aims and objectives, providing a blueprint during your planning journey.

This infographic has been created to help teachers create a modern classroom for their own unique space.

The modern classroom design brief should either be compiled by, or in collaboration with, the head teacher or a member of the senior management team.

2. Identify the stakeholders

Draw up a list of all stakeholders that are involved, interested in or affected by the project. This list will comprise of pupils, staff, parents, governors, partners and suppliers. Once your list is compiled, involve everyone at an early stage to understand and support the Design Brief. Make it clear that their involvement during the initial planning stages of the project is vital.

Here you can find a useful Google Docs template to compile your list of stakeholders.

3. Maximise technology

A common issue found within schools is that existing technology is being underutilised. Often apps are not being utilised via school tablets, or the wealth of resources on the internet are not being taken advantage of; most schools can make more use of their technology, enabled through training.

Technology in teaching and learning training is offered by ed tech suppliers and training providers, who can create a training plan.

4. Assign roles

Map out the roles of teachers and students:

• Who is producing content?
• Who is presenting it?
• Who is providing feedback?

It is important to remember you are creating a modern classroom that does not depend on the old methods of teacher-centric lesson delivery.

5. Determine layout

Consider the positioning of students and teacher. Mock up your design either using free online software (e.g. Google Docs using shape tools) or even a trusty flipchart.

Create multiple layouts that can be changed to maximise on different learning styles or lesson plans. Take time to consider the size and shape of the room – the resources available – and the various teacher/student set-ups that will enable a variety of learning scenarios.

6. Review pedagogy

• Plan the introduction of various teaching methods, including:
• Collaborative learning
• Social learning
• Flipped learning
• Design-based, feedback-based and enquiry-based learning

Use ClassFlow, a free, teaching and learning platform that acts as the glue connecting all learning materials and devices.

7. Embrace the outside world

The massive accessibility to technology outside of the classroom represents significant opportunities for learning. The modern classroom embraces and encourages these opportunities.

Enable, encourage, capture, recognise and share connected learning and achievement that take place outside of the classroom and school environment.

Made a start to creating a Modern Classroom in your own unique setting? Tell us on Twitter!