As teachers, we spend a lot of fourth dimension thinking near how to motivate students and get them truly invested in their learning. But one of the simplest ways is ofttimes the near overlooked: involving students in setting upwards their own learning infinite from the footing upward.

What would happen if you didn't spend the weeks before school designing your classroom and instead invited students into the process? You lot would feel more motivation, more free energy, and college achievement levels, say the authors of Get Active: Reimagining Learning Space for Student Success : a new volume published by ISTE with support from Intel and Steelcase Education.

Here are some of their top tips for including students in the pattern process:

ane. Allow Go of Command.

Aye, we know it can be hard to let go of your beloved fall-themed message boards or meticulously organized classroom library. Just letting get is the first step in getting your students to go more active members of your classroom community. You will however exist involved, of grade, but you lot take to exist willing to surrender some control to truly transform a classroom for active and flexible learning.

2. Survey Your Students.

What kind of lighting, colour palettes and study spaces do they enjoy? What kind of furniture do they like to use? What ideas exercise they have to make the space work better for them? You can use online tools like SurveyMonkey to do an electronic quiz. Otherwise, just deport a grouping brainstorm. Remind students that there are no bad ideas in brainstorms and to throw it all out there.

3. Create a Color Scheme.

Did you know studies show light bluish and purples have a calming effect on learners, while warm tones like taupe and peach offer a relaxing atmosphere? Once y'all decide on a color palette with your students, add these colors when planning paint, material and accessories. It'southward an easy mode to accept a big touch on and volition actually aid necktie the entire space together.

4. Use Technology to Reimagine Your Classroom.

Digital tools like Sketchbook and Google Drawings are an excellent way to requite students the tools they demand to pattern and explore. You could even create teams inside your class to work on unlike areas or sections of the classroom. Take each team nowadays their acme 2 or three ideas, and allow the course to vote on their favorites.

5. Get Your Admin's Buy-In.

A lot of schools have restrictions when information technology comes to rearranging, painting, etc. Use the responses from your student surveys and/or the designs your students created to get approval from your assistants. Even if they don't concur to everything, you'll have a starting point for negotiations.

half-dozen. Lose "The Forepart" of Your Classroom.

When you accept an active learning space, it means utilizing every area possible. With a successful redesign, you lot won't accept a "front" anymore: you'll be able to teach from anywhere in the room.

7. Become Rid of the Clutter.

And we mean you tub full of ancient anchor charts. Sometimes it'southward best to start from scratch, removing everything from a particular space so adding back only what's necessary.

8. Create a Little Privacy.

One of the biggest things students typically ask for is a space that they tin call their own. Remember of this 1 equally a claiming to create mini–classroom forts or reading nooks. One way to do this is to clean out those traditional cubbies and permit students curl up within to read. You lot tin can also create unique spaces past arranging unproblematic bookshelves or crates.

9. Integrate Technology in a Style That Makes Sense for Your Kids.

For some, this might hateful easy access to tablets and devices for on-the-fly research and activities. In other classrooms, it might make sense to have a dedicated area for technology, such as a estimator corner, or even to stash screens out of the way entirely until they are needed.

10. Reach out to Local Businesses.

Have your students contact local businesses and parents to ask for materials and supplies. Organizations at the schoolhouse (such as the PTA) might also be willing to provide some funding. Another possible funding source is the website DonorsChoose.org.

xi. Become High and Go Low.

Sitting in a chair for extended periods of time tin can be difficult for young learners. High tables provide students a petty more freedom of movement and ameliorate opportunities for collaboration. Low tables encourage students to become more involved.

12. Upcycle Furniture.

Look at the article of furniture pieces you already have, and find means to ameliorate them. Tabular array legs can be cut to make a low table for flooring seating. An old podium can become a standing desk-bound. Wooden boxes can be transformed into nooks. Beyond the cost-saving benefits, reusing and repurposing materials promotes sustainability to students.

xiii. Invite Students to Decorate.

If you lot truly desire students to have a little bit of buying in the classroom, then they need to put their unique stamp on it. Gear up aside fourth dimension subsequently schoolhouse or on the weekend for willing students to help with the project.

xiv. Don't Forget the Little Things.

Small details such equally private name cards and pencil holders can get a long manner in making a classroom an inviting place for students.

15. Plan an Open House.

Once your classroom makeover is complete, hold an open business firm. Put out some snacks, turn some music on and let students bring their parents through the space to evidence them everything they've helped to create. Y'all tin can also brand a quick video to give parents a virtual bout.

16. Keep the Ideas Going.

A skillful redesign is an ongoing procedure, so yous're never truly finished. Continue to introduce new features to the room. Some of these features might work while others won't. Become feedback, and adapt every bit needed.
Want more ideas like these? Get Active: Reimagining Learning Space for Student Success is a wonderful resource and inspired the ideas described above. Get your own copy today!

16 Ways to Involve Students in Classroom Design