New York Times site as well as other sites) about how important it is to post things on the walls to make a classroom feel more like "home". Other people agreed with the main finding of the study; that walls should be less cluttered to contribute to students' focus on the task at hand.
Absent from the conversation was one important aspect highlighted by the researchers on the study's abstract. The study looked at "many displays that are not relevant to ongoing instruction" (Fisher, Godwin, Seltman, 2014). In other words they looked at items displayed on classroom walls that were not related to whatever teachers were teaching. And this key issue, the function of the things that are posted on classroom walls, was not discussed during last week. Why do teachers choose to display certain things and not others? What is the function of displays in classroom walls?
Emotional attachment seemed to be an important factor in determining whether a classroom was effective or not to its users. Children needing to feel "at home" was considered important for many. Aesthetics also played a part in that some people would prefer less cluttered environments, others would like to see more things up on the walls. It is not clear, though, what is the purpose or the intention of the things posted in classroom walls. Here is where the issue of function is relevant. If de-cluttering walls, as the study suggests, contributes to the students' ability to remain focused, it is conceivable that what is posted on classroom walls could contribute to whatever students' are learning. Teachers' use of their classroom -the physical environment- as one of the many parts of pedagogy, is what needs to be addressed. Professional development sessions should not only make teachers aware of this important element of their daily teaching efforts, but also provide guidance in the use of their classroom walls just as much as they are instructed on how to use technology. Overburdened teachers might have a hard time changing displays in their classrooms, but it might be a good use of their time if it is a contributing element to the teaching of their curriculum. Students could participate posting content that they will be working on or content that they have worked on.
I have talked to architects and teachers who were figuring out what are the elements that need to be included in a classroom. We know that natural light, cleanliness, and appropriate acoustics contribute to a good and efficient classroom. But also the agency of teachers, their ability to use the physical environment of the classroom is very important in creating better pedagogical moments and contribute to effective teaching.
In schools were there is enough budgeted money for the physical environment teachers can and do amazing things with their classrooms. Elements like movable chairs and desks or walls can make it easier for teachers to adjust their classroom to their lesson. On the contrary, in schools that are poorly funded and have to make do with less resources, students and teachers can feel the oppression of the physical environment being a constant source of distraction, not only because of what is posted on the walls, but also because of more basic issues like safety, cleanliness, and lack of adequate spaces.
I think we are "not there yet" regarding the knowledge of what should and should not be in a classroom wall. I do venture to say that whatever we decide about this, needs to be in support of teachers and their efforts. Classrooms should afford teachers resources that contribute to rich experiences for students, where students can also engage and be participants in their own education.
A study of kindergarden classroom walls had its 15 minutes of fame last week. Many people pitched in online (in the Absent from the conversation was one important aspect highlighted by the researchers on the study's abstract. The study looked at "many displays that are not relevant to ongoing instruction" (Fisher, Godwin, Seltman, 2014). In other words they looked at items displayed on classroom walls that were not related to whatever teachers were teaching. And this key issue, the function of the things that are posted on classroom walls, was not discussed during last week. Why do teachers choose to display certain things and not others? What is the function of displays in classroom walls?
Emotional attachment seemed to be an important factor in determining whether a classroom was effective or not to its users. Children needing to feel "at home" was considered important for many. Aesthetics also played a part in that some people would prefer less cluttered environments, others would like to see more things up on the walls. It is not clear, though, what is the purpose or the intention of the things posted in classroom walls. Here is where the issue of function is relevant. If de-cluttering walls, as the study suggests, contributes to the students' ability to remain focused, it is conceivable that what is posted on classroom walls could contribute to whatever students' are learning. Teachers' use of their classroom -the physical environment- as one of the many parts of pedagogy, is what needs to be addressed. Professional development sessions should not only make teachers aware of this important element of their daily teaching efforts, but also provide guidance in the use of their classroom walls just as much as they are instructed on how to use technology. Overburdened teachers might have a hard time changing displays in their classrooms, but it might be a good use of their time if it is a contributing element to the teaching of their curriculum. Students could participate posting content that they will be working on or content that they have worked on.
I have talked to architects and teachers who were figuring out what are the elements that need to be included in a classroom. We know that natural light, cleanliness, and appropriate acoustics contribute to a good and efficient classroom. But also the agency of teachers, their ability to use the physical environment of the classroom is very important in creating better pedagogical moments and contribute to effective teaching.
In schools were there is enough budgeted money for the physical environment teachers can and do amazing things with their classrooms. Elements like movable chairs and desks or walls can make it easier for teachers to adjust their classroom to their lesson. On the contrary, in schools that are poorly funded and have to make do with less resources, students and teachers can feel the oppression of the physical environment being a constant source of distraction, not only because of what is posted on the walls, but also because of more basic issues like safety, cleanliness, and lack of adequate spaces.
I think we are "not there yet" regarding the knowledge of what should and should not be in a classroom wall. I do venture to say that whatever we decide about this, needs to be in support of teachers and their efforts. Classrooms should afford teachers resources that contribute to rich experiences for students, where students can also engage and be participants in their own education.