Imagine the opportunity to design a college from scratch. Structures for collaborative learning and student engagement could take any form. The vision could embody the community's expectations, and the classrooms could contain flexible furniture, multimedia stations, and floor-to-ceiling white boards. The library could also accommodate learning…

The reference desk at Indiana State University's (ISU) library offers an excellent view of student work areas on the first floor. From this vantage point, the reference librarians noticed students, especially in the evening and on weekends, huddled together in small groups, with one student at the keyboard of a laptop or desktop computer. The…

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…

Scholarship on factors that promote or hinder academic success of college students abounds, much of it focusing on learning gains and institutional retention of first-year students (Reason, Terenzini, and Domingo, 2006; Terenzini and Reason, 2005; Pascarella and Terenzini, 2005; Braxton, 2000; Astin, 1993; Tinto, 1987). More recently,…

This study examined whether gender influenced college students' attitudes regarding classroom seating layout. Seating layouts included: a) rows of tablet-arm chairs, b) U-shaped, c) clusters, and d) rows of tables with individual chairs. The sample consisted of 912 college students. Factor analysis yielded two dimensions: "Feeling at Ease" and…

The classroom models were developed and illustrated by the Secondary Exploration of Technology Project (SET) for new ninth grade courses in industrial arts. (Communication lab, materials lab, power lab, and the total facility layout). (Author)

As part of a symposium on the provision of architectural privacy within the classroom, this paper reviews the limited research that is available and discusses the importance of viewing classroom settings as ecological units with both physical and behavioral components. Whether children prefer to use private facilities, and whether they benefit…

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…

A CURRICULUM GUIDE ON KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION IS PRESENTED. SECTIONS INCLUDE THE CHILD, THE TEACHER, THE ROOM, THE KINDERGARTEN DAY, AND THE CURRICULUM. THE PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL, AND MENTAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CHILD, PLUS PRINCIPLES FOR GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL GUIDANCE OF THE TIMID AND AGGRESSIVE CHILD ARE GIVEN.…

Last month the authors discussed how teachers can learn to identify their students' individual learning styles (EJ 527 074). This article uses that information to create a new and exciting classroom in ten easy steps. (Author/RK)

Factors of location, use of space, room arrangement, and time-out area are examined for their effects on resource room programing for exceptional students. (CL)

Describes the challenge and solution to organizing the production and materials in the school newspaper/yearbook classroom. (HTH)

Three domains are analyzed with reference to the nature of the viable open classroom: (1) the importance of a structured curriculum, (2) the training of teachers, and (3) architectural design and the status of finances in the schools. (Author/NQ)

This planning guide focuses on the fundamental requirements for planning and designing school music suites. The guide provides brief explanations of critical factors affecting music suites so that music directors and other stakeholders can more quickly and clearly communicate music area fundamentals to architects and administrators. Topics cover…