Inclusive classrooms with complex, diverse students have many challenges, including that of effective physical design. One included element that should be considered is a relaxation station, designed to teach and promote everyday self-regulation skills within a calmer and more private space. A relaxation station is an essential component in every…

Quality design and appropriate space organization in preschool settings can support preschool children's educational activities. Although the relationship between the well-being and development of children and physical settings has been emphasized by many early childhood researchers, there is still a need for theoretical design guidelines that are…

"Educator or Bully?" offers a comprehensive approach to classroom management for both novice and veteran teachers who are interested in examining their current classroom management performance, especially with respect to how it reflects the characteristics of the 21st century classroom. Practices presented are based on sound educational theory.…

Children in crowded classrooms need private uninhabited space to think, work, read, confer quietly or wonder. Suggestions were offered for utilizing available areas that can be turned into private working spaces for students. (Author/RK)

Well-informed teachers of young children recognize the importance of children's social development. The development of social skills lays a critical foundation for later academic achievement as well as work-related skills. Social development is such a key issue with young children that a number of methods to address social skills have been…

The paper presents a model for the integrating classroom in accordance with Chapter 71A (which deals with bilingual education) and Chapter 766 (which mandates the provision of educational programs tailored to each student's special needs) of Massachusetts Legislation. Listed among goals for the model classroom are the following: to provide an…

Discusses how to create effective school computer labs covering such topics as programming, planning considerations, planning a flexible infrastructure, and controlling the environment. Top considerations in designing a good computer lab are listed. (GR)

Discusses the use of interactive television (ITV) in higher education and describes graduate courses taught with ITV at Washington State University. Highlights include problems encountered with ITV in traditional classrooms; criteria for evaluating the appropriateness of ITV classrooms; and guidelines for the development of effective ITV…

Slide shows presented with software such as PowerPoint or WordPerfect Presentations can trap instructors into bad teaching practices. Research on memory suggests that slide-show instruction can actually be less effective than traditional lecturing when the teacher uses a blackboard or overhead projector. The author proposes a model of classroom…

Out-of-doors instruction and the use of outdoor classrooms to allow children to learn directly from the natural environment, as well as about it, are encompassed in this pamphlet. It is intended as a source of ideas for developing and using outdoor classrooms on school sites of any size wherever they are located. Included is an explanation of how…

Ever wish you could give your classroom a face-lifting? You can, inexpensively and effectively. To show you how, the Instructor staff invaded two rooms at Dansville Elementary School to help solve some problems. You'll be intrigued by their suggestions and encouraged to try your own ideas. (Editor/RK)

The illumination of three conventional classrooms was modified to create optical conditions better suited to visual communication for hearing impaired students. (Author/PHR)

Children often struggle in noisy classrooms. Many classrooms being planned duplicate acoustically inadequate 50-year-old designs that cannot accommodate group learning and hands-on science. The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board, which enforces Individuals with Disabilities Education Act regulations, has been asked to…

Discusses the logic of a learning environment approach for young children, suggests room and equipment arrangements, and provides ideas for effective learning centers. (RJC)

A study of 120 students selected from the user populations of four music education computer laboratories was conducted to determine the applicability of current ergonomic and environmental design guidelines in satisfying the needs of users of educational computing workspaces. Eleven categories of workspace factors were organized into a…