SPATIAL ENVIRONMENT
School Design Characteristics Spatial Environment School and classroom size Research has addressed the density of students in a classroom with children’s experience and performance in schools. School size, classroom size, and study spaces’ location and environmental qualities directly impact academic achievement in elementary schools.190, 191 Research has linked smaller school and classroom sizes (# of students/ teacher) and student density (# students/sqft) with positive impacts on student performance. Conversely, large classes and crowded classrooms can impair the academic experience.192, 193 For example, a literature review reported two studies that found significant differences in academic achievement in classes larger than 13 to 17 students on average.192 Similarly, a study found a minimal effect of reduced classroom size in California Kindergarten classrooms on secondgrade reading and math test performance but found no effect on language and spelling tests.194 A study conducted interviews and focus groups with students and teachers in six schools and found that social and spatial density was a concern for both teachers and students. They found that smaller school populations and class sizes were preferable, but larger classroom dimensions leading to lower density were better.193 A study in Dutch universities found that the size of the institutions negatively correlated with student success. This study also found that the quality of different services and aspects of schools, including facilities, cleanliness, classrooms and classroom environmental conditions, explained 3.5 % of the variance in study success. Other variables such as spatial representation, informal spaces catering facilities and indoor climate (air and temperature) were not statistically significant.212 Smaller communities give students a greater sense of ownership190, 192 and generate conditions beneficial for creating relationships and opportunities relevant to student learning.192, 241 A literature review suggested that capping school size at 500-600 students aided in the generation of ownership.190 Similarly, research has reported that smaller classrooms provide more opportunities for participation and teacher-student interaction and individual assistance.192 Finally, researchers have suggested that schools that have “well-defined activity pockets” and provide spaces that offer social/private opportunities, loud/quiet spaces, etc., can be beneficial for learning.190
Outdoor learning spaces, nature & school grounds Students can be positively influenced by being in nature. A review found that nature-based learning increased interest in uninterested students, improved grades, reduced dropout rates, disruptive episodes, and helped to close income-related gaps. In group settings, nature allowed for less fidgeting for students with attention disorders, allowing for less distraction and a better
28
NetZED Case Study Lab netzedlab.uoregon.edu
