Pilot classrooms incorporate student voice and choice in learning environment design
In recent years, the conversation around student voice and choice has been prominent among educators and administrators. According to EdWeek, many educators have supported this endeavor through personalized curriculum, leading to higher student engagement, lower absentee rates, and even improved test scores.
When it comes to learning environment design, it can feel more difficult to incorporate student feedback. Choosing furniture and accessories for a classroom can be confusing, even to seasoned administrators, and it involves a big investment of time and resources. Despite this challenge, it is still important to get input from students on how their learning spaces are designed. Student voice can help create effective learning environments and help students feel a sense of ownership and agency in the process.
One great way to gather and incorporate this insight is through the use of a pilot classroom. Pilot classrooms utilize your whole school community to achieve proven results for all users, including students, teachers, and support staff. As one of the country’s leading learning environment companies, Demco’s approach to pilot classrooms makes it easier to incorporate your students’ voices and ensure they are heard.
Step 1: Needs assessment
A successful pilot program always begins with planning. There are many factors to consider beyond the basics of a classroom, including the pedagogy used in the spaces, other uses outside of daily instruction, ages and special needs of student users, storage requirements, and the benefits of complementary pieces such as charging solutions or sound absorbing panels.
How voice and choice are incorporated:
Through conversations with key stakeholders, as well as careful observation of how the space is currently being used by students and staff, we gain a better understanding of what the pilot classroom might look like.
Step 2: Product selection and design
Based on the needs assessment, product experts will help you choose the right pieces to test in your pilot classroom. You can test sample products at this phase to ensure the classroom has the right mix of solutions for your needs, as well as seeing color and finish swatches. Once you’ve chosen your pieces, our team of space designers will create a plan.
How voice and choice are incorporated:
You can involve students and educators in the product selection and design process by inviting focus groups to test products and give feedback, or by having students draw designs for their dream classroom. Sharing design proposals with educators can help ensure their feedback is incorporated into the finished product.
Step 3: Product evaluation
Perhaps the most important step in the pilot classroom process, product evaluation is the test-drive phase. You’ll have time to make use of the products in your space, evaluate functionality, and share feedback. Getting a chance to move around a space and use items in a day-to-day manner will reveal important insights about classroom flow, product needs, and more.
How voice and choice are incorporated:
Getting feedback from students can happen in a variety of ways, ranging from surveys and interviews to sit-in observation. Different age groups might respond better to one method over another, and observation may reveal insights students and educators might not think to vocalize.
Ready to get started?
Demco’s project services team can help you maximize the potential of your Pre-K–12 spaces, from pilot classroom to finished product.
