[Vol.87] Schools Are Changing! About School Space Innovation

Please look at your cell phones. How does it look? Is your cell phone the same as five or ten years ago? Perhaps you have changed your cell phone several times over the past decade. Things surrounding us, such as cell phones, cars, and computers, are changing according to the era’s needs. Then, let’s think about the classroom we used to take class and the current classroom. Are students still taking classes in the same classroom as ten years ago? If you think so, it’s time to forget the classroom that remains in your memory, such as the kind of classroom where the same desk and chair are facing the blackboard.

As various things have changed according to the needs of the times, all school spaces, such as classrooms, teachers’ rooms, and playgrounds, also show a movement of change according to the era. In other words, “school space innovation” is taking

place. Actually, the former Education Minister Yoo Eun-Hye declared innovation in school space, saying, “We will build future classrooms so that schools become creative learning spaces and create spaces where children can rest and creative thoughts are opened.”

Let’s see what school space innovation is and how the actual school space is changing and how it works.

Before discussing school space, let’s think about it first. Why is space important?

Space makes us feel various emotions. For example, we feel stuffy in a small space full of things, and on the contrary, we feel relieved and comfortable in a space like an open ranch. Moreover, space also affects human thinking and behavior.

Neuroarchitecture

Neuroarchitecture is a study that combines neuroscience and architecture and analyzes how the human brain reacts when facing a particular building or space. In other words, it is a field related to architectural psychology that studies architecture better for humans based on the influence of architecture on human thinking.

According to neuroarchitecture, the effect on the human brain varies depending on what space it is. The connection between the human brain and space is already defined as a field, and many studies are being conducted for more efficient space for humans.

An Experiment by Professor Joan Meyers Levy at the University of Minnesota

(Does Ceiling Height Affect Human Creativity?)

Participants solved a problem that requires concentration and creativity in three places with different ceiling heights, and they scored better when they were in the space which has the highest ceiling height. On the other hand, the score for the problem that requires concentration when solving problems in a place with a low ceiling was higher.

Scientific measurements by environmental psychologist Roger Ulrich

Through Scientific measurements, Roger Ulrich has proven for the first time that patients' physical condition recovers faster when they look out for natural scenery. In other words, when looking at a beautiful scenery, sunset, or forest, nerve cells are activated to speed up recovery and increase happiness.

As such, space affects human emotions, behaviors, and thinking processes, and suitable spaces have a good influence. Based on this scientific basis, innovation in the school space where students spend most of their learning time is essential.

School space innovation cases and effects.

(Source: The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education’s Case Study for Space Innovation, YouTube video of EBS, Educational Research Institute of KNUE’s website)

Hexagonal desk at Songjeong Elementary School in Seoul.

It is a desk made of hexagonal shapes that are effective for group classes. Students can form groups more efficiently through hexagonal desks that deviate from the existing square desks. Moreover, It can give a more different feeling by using a unique shape that deviates from the current desk shape.

A Space Across Play and Learning in Seongsu Elementary school.

The classroom was expanded by creating an intermediate space between the classroom and the hallway. The hallway can be used as a play area.

An open space created by light at Isu Elementary School in Seoul.

It is a classroom designed for a warm space that lights each child. Intensive lighting for group activities is possible through track lighting composed of curves.

The open-type teachers’ room at Yongnam Middle School in Gyeongsangnam-do.

The teachers’ room was changed to an open
form. So students can come to see the teacher more freely to ask questions or consult their concerns.

Educational Research Institute of KNUE: Future Advanced Classrooms

It is a classroom equipped to enable remote lectures. Microphone and camera portable desk is prepared. Not only general classes but also remote lectures are possible.

Change for Better Education of Students

: School Space Innovation

In addition, there are spaces designed for reading classes or other subject classes to be held in the library, complex cultural spaces with stages, performance rooms, and shelters, and media classes where electronic devices such as tablet PCs and computers can be optimized. Through various classes held in various spaces, students can think creatively and feel emotional stability in schools with play and rest areas away from the existing rigid classroom. Moreover, democratic citizenship could also be cultivated through the process of students directly giving opinions on the school space and coordinating it. Students are at the heart of school change. It should continue to change into a school space where students can feel the actual effect and have fun in class. Sir Winston Churchill said, “We shape our buildings and they shape us.” We need to recognize that space has a lot of influence on students and change more actively and study. In addition, when the school space changes, teachers can apply various teaching methods and flexible classes become possible. Teachers should also understand school space innovation, recognize the necessity, and create spaces together as school community members. Forget the stuffy school space like a prison. Through school space innovation, in the future, children will escape from the prison-like and stuffy school of the past and draw a better future in a school space where free and creative thinking and rest and learning are proper.